SIX PEOPLE have lost their lives as Hurricane Laura made landfall in the United States.
The victims include a 14-year-old girl who was killed when high winds caused a tree to fall on her house.
Search and rescue teams are continuing the search for victims and survivors today in the state of Louisiana following the hurricane, which is believed to be the most powerful to hit the US in living memory.
A large power line lies across a Chevron gas station following the passage of hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on August 27, 2020.(Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)However, Louisiana Governer John Bel Edwards told a press conference yesterday evening that there is "a lot to be thankful for", as the hurricane did not cause the "catastrophic" damage which had been feared.
“It is clear that we did not sustain and suffer the absolute catastrophic damage that we thought was likely based on the forecast we had last night,” Governor Edwards said.
“But we have sustained a tremendous amount of damage."
GRAND LAKE, LA - AUGUST 27: Michael Taylor looks through a freezer damaged by Hurricane Laura August 27, 2020 in Grand Lake, Louisiana. Hurricane (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)The category 4 storm has now been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but there potential danger to life and damage to property remains.
In comparison, Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,800 people in the US in 2005, was a category 3 hurricane.
According to The Journal, four of the six deaths caused by the storm occurred when trees were uprooted and fell on private homes.
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 27: Kennie Gillander and her dog Duke search a building for possible casualties after Hurricane Laura passed through the area on August 27, 2020 (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)One man died of carbon dioxide poisoning caused by a fault in the generator in his home, and another drowned when his boat sank in choppy waters at sea.
Governor Edwards confirmed more search and rescue services would be carried out, and said he was "concerned that... we're going to find more fatalities".
"I hope and pray not," he added.
US President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Laura made landfall, in the coming days.
