A Louisiana sheriff's office is issuing an urgent warning to residents that have not evacuated ahead of Hurricane Laura's arrival.
On Wednesday, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook about a mandatory evacuation for portions of the parish.
The Sheriff's Office recommended that those choosing to stay behind instead of evacuating should put identifying information on their bodies so the sheriff's office can identify them after the storm.
"Those choosing to stay and face this very dangerous storm must understand that rescue efforts cannot and will not begin until after storm and surge has passed and it is safe to do so. Please evacuate, and if you choose to stay and we can’t get to you, write your name, address, social security number and next of kin and put it a Ziploc bag in your pocket. Praying that it does not come to this."
Laura made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana at about 1 a.m. CT on Thursday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm with 150 mph sustained winds, and “unsurvivable storm surge.”
Authorities say a curfew is currently in place from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. until further notice.
In addition, The National Weather Service also issued a dire warning for residents.
