28 Aug
A hurricane ripped through the southern US state of Louisiana, leaving extensive damage and killing at least four people.
Hurricane Laura made landfall early on Thursday as a Category 4 storm, which ranks as the second-most destructive on the US scale of one to five.
Louisiana officials say the four victims include a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree crashed onto her home.
Aerial footage of a coastal town shows the roofs of many houses blown away by violent winds. It also shows flooded roads and buildings.
A fire also broke out at a factory in the state. Local officials are warning of a possible chlorine gas leak. They are urging residents to stay inside until their safety is ensured.
US media report that as of Thursday evening, about 800,000 households had lost electricity in four states including Louisiana and neighboring Texas.
They report that hotels are being used to accommodate evacuees as part of measures to prevent coronavirus infections.
Laura has already been downgraded to a tropical storm. But local officials remain cautious against strong winds and heavy rain.
NHK
