A half million people are being urged or ordered to evacuate their homes before Hurricane Laura arrives late tonight. The storm is expected to reach category three status before it makes landfall somewhere on the Texas or Louisiana coast. Galveston Mayor Craig Brown is urging residents to take steps to protect their families and homes. Emergency shelters are at reduced capacity so social distancing can be followed. An overnight curfew is in effect in Galveston through Thursday night. Violators could face a thousand-dollar fine.
Photo: Members of Texas Search and Rescue help residents prepare to evacuate as Hurricane Laura approaches the Gulf Coast. (Getty Images)