Bombers Evacuated From Air Force Base Ahead of Hurricane Laura

To avoid any possible damage from Hurricane Laura, the Air Force has begun evacuating bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

In footage obtained by ABC News, the B-52H Stratofortresses can be seen taking off from Barksdale, which is located about 200 miles from the coast.

B-52H Stratofortresses take off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, leaving to avoid possible damage as Hurricane Laura approaches.Laura, which is now a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to bring « unsurvivable storm surge » to some areas. https://t.co/pkb1SGXc2b pic.twitter.com/UrIhLzD9AS

The Eighth Air Force, which is located on Barskdale, is moving most of its 47 or so B-52 bombers from the base to other locations as Laura strengthens to a category 4 storm, reported Air Force Magazine.

Base personnel are being put on HURCON 2, the second-highest storm readiness level and are not being evacuated, a 2nd Bomb Wing spokesman told the publication.

As of Wednesday, Barskdale appeared to be almost directly in Laura’s path, which is expected to make landfall shortly after midnight Central Time.

The forecast calls for winds to grow to 145 mph before landfall. That would mean a 20-foot storm surge near the Texas-Louisiana line.

On Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center bluntly warned of the anticipated impact of the storm when it makes landfall in Louisiana and Texas.

« Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes, » the announcement read.

Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes. This surge could penetrate up to 30 miles inland from the immediate coastline. #Laura pic.twitter.com/bV4jzT3Chd

SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com