Yeah. Youre not going to see dramatic pictures yet. This happens all the time when we cover these big major hurricanes especially when theyre at night. Theres this period like what happened, whats it look like, its dark. Well probably have to get a helicopter up there to fly over houston to see what happened in those small towns like cameron. Heres what we do know. The winds were as ferocious as theyve ever been in louisiana. At 1 00 is when hurricane laura made landfall. The highest tide ever recorded to make landfall in louisiana with 150mileperhour winds. Thats just offthechartstype stuff. Yes, it did make landfall in a remote populated section of louisiana, but for those who live there, its devastating. Lake charles had 132mileanhour wind gusts when the eye wall went through. That may have been the strongst recorded wind gust. Usually the devices fail. The one at the airport happened to stay up for a while. Now lake charles is going through the backside. There was a lot of damage from lake charles from the backside. Now the front side is kicking through. The winds wont be as severe. In beaumont, gusts at 60 to 80 miles an hour max. Those winds will start to weaken and the rain will be ending shortly in those areas as the storm pulls away. The wind gauge stopped working at lake charles. Notice the winds are starting to come down. Beaumont and port arthur, but the highest gusts are heading up and eventually alexandria and shreveport later on today. We have flash flood warnings from alexandria southward all the way down to the coast. We have 9 Million People in flash flood watches for today. Of course, you know, even as its slowly going down to a category 2 and 1 and eventually tropical storm, we still have that swath of winds that will be causing Power Outages in into southern arkansas later on today. Heres the predicted winds. We can see gusts up to 50 many little rock and, yasmin, my general rule of thumb is if you get wind gusts of 50 to 60, you can start getting Power Outages. Thats kind of the general story. I didnt talk a lot about storm surge. We really dont know how bad it was. My indication and gut is that it wasnt quite as bad as predicted, but, again, i want to wait for the Daylight Pictures until we can confirm that. When we were talking yesterday, we were talking 15 to 20foot storm surge. But as you mentioned, bill, with power ought outatages, im seei the number is going to grow exponentially as the hours tick by. Bill l you stand by for snus . Of course, i want to go to catie beck standing by. Good morning to you. Bill was saying you were experiencing 132mileanhour winds. Youre on the backside of the storm, and i can hear the wind whipping in the background there. Talk about it. Reporter yeah. It sounds like a teakettle. Its been an extraordinary morning. We have had periods of unbelievable wind gusts and incredibly strong winds and periods where we felt we were in the clear and we werent. The backside has proven to be more destruction active than the front. If you take a look around, this is the parking lot of the resort where were saying. Know bill said you wouldnt see pictures until daylight, but you can see here. This is parts of the roof o of t the resort thats only six years old. Pieces of metal and sheetrock and roof thats laying on the ground. In addition to that, uprooting of trees. An entire dumpster was moved from one side of the parking lot to the other. The damage is going to be quite extensive, even if we didnt have the storm surge that was expected. You can still here that metal is loose and thats why were standing in this doorway because its not exactly safe for us to be outside while this debris is still flying around. As bill said, this is not quite over yet. Were on the backside of the storm thats passing to the west of us and we expect another hour or so. Its Strong Enough do powerful damage as it passes us by. Catie, did you see any of that yourself . This is why im in the doorway. Sorry about that. Im sorry. Could you that was actually more of that roof that was coming down. It just narrowly missed our door. Im sorry. Could you tell me the question one more time . I didnt hear it. Yesterday we had indications of possibly 15 to 20foot storm surge along the coast. Obviously it didnt deliver to that degree, but did you see any indication of storm surge throughout the night with this storm . Reporter this resort actually on the other side from where we are faces the water, and we do know that crews were kind of displaced from that location early on in the night because the waters were rising and it was getting kind of dangerous. As far as flooding goes, we havent really seen that here. We havent seen the effects of that surge. That doesnt mean that it doesnt exist in other places in lake charles. We just as bill said, you kind of have to wait for daylight to get an accurate picture of what happened. I do think the predictions had this place sort of surrounded by water, which is clearly not the case. And with an hour left to the most severe parts of the storm, i think its unlikely its going to reach the strength that was predicted. As you can see, the structural damage, this is a fairly new and enormous resort. We do have power, which is why were staying here, but can you imagine if you had a smaller home, a mobile home, something that wasnt quite as secure . These winds are absolutely catastrophic and certainly we expect to see a lot of homes, a lot of residents displaced as a result of whats happening right now. Yeah, i cannot imagine. Im expecting that well see a lot of destruction as the sun comes up this morning. Catie, were going to be checking back with you throughout the morning. In the meantime, please do stay safe. Catie beck for us. Still ahead, a look at night three of the Republican National convention. Mike pence gave the keynote address, attacking joe biden and promising law and order under the president. And later a 17yearold arrested and charged with homicide after a shooting that took place during protests in kenosha, wisconsin. The very latest on the unrest there. Those stories and more coming up. E stories and more coming up among my patients, i often see them have teeth sensitivity as well as gum issues. Does it worry me . Absolutely. Sensodyne sensitivity gum gives us the dual action effect that really takes care of both our teeth sensitivity as well as our gum issues. Theres no question its something that i would recommend. Ther oh. Oh, darn its some wha let me help. Here we go. Lift and push and push there. Its up there. Oh, boy. Hey joshie. Wrinkles send the wrong message. Help prevent them before they start with downy wrinkleguard. Hey bud. Hey, pop pop so you wont get caught with wrinkles again. [woman laughs] last week joe bietden didnt say one worlder the chaos engulfing cities across the cities. Lets be clear. The violence must stop whether in minneapolis, portland, or kenosha. Too many heros have died defending our freedom to see Americans Strike each other down. We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every american of every race and creed and color. Welcome back. While were going to continue to track hurricane laura, we also want to talk about the Republican National convention, night three last night. That was mike pence touting law and order against the backdrop of the latest priceinvololice shooting in kenosha. President trump accepted the nomination and closed out the keynote remarks. Even as the u. S. Death toll has now hit 180,000 people as we speak, were developing a growing number of treatments known as therapeutics, including convalescent plasma that are saving lives all across america. Now, last week joe biden said that no miracle is coming. What joe doesnt seem to understand is america is a nation of miracles. [ applause [. And im proud to report were on track to have the worlds first safe effective Coronavirus Vaccine by the end of this year. After all the sacrifice in a year lie no other, in all the hardship, were finding our way forward again. Vice president pence also claimed that democrats dont want to talk about their agenda even though the Republican Party for the first time in its 166year history didnt issue a policy platform this year. My fellow americans, were passing through a time of testing, that soon we will come to a time for choosing. Joe biden has referred to himself as a transition candidate, and many were asking transition to what . But last week democrats didnt talk very much about their agenda. And if i were them, i wouldnt either. I mean, Bernie Sanders did tell his floers that joe biden would be the most liberal president in modern times. In fact, he said, and i quote, that many of the ideas he fought for that just a few years ago were considered radical are now mainstream in the democratic party. And last night after Vice President pences speech, the audience crowded a rope line closely together, mostly without masks, to greet the president , melania trump, and Vice President pence and his wife karen, something weve not seen in months. While people in the audience were tested for covid, heres what we know about the first ladys address on monday night. Not all attendees were tested according to remarks from campaign officials. Guests in the first few rows were screened for the virus prior to the remarks. Dozens of others in the audience were not. Chairs were slightly apart, but not separated at full six feet. The same health and safety protocols which have been in place for the white house the last several months of the pandemic are expected to be applied to the president s acceptance speech tonight on the south lawn were more than a thousand people are anticipated. Nbc news has asked whether the Trump Campaign or white house has conducted the testing for that and who covered the costs incurred but has yet to receive a response. Joining me now, a reporter for the washington post, eugene scott. Eugene, good morning to you. Great to talk to you this morning. Interesting about the testing in that we had so many discrepancies of testing in this country, and yet it seems the white house, the Trump Campaign is using its full capacity for testing in order to make it seem that this pan dem sick not happening in this country, and so many of us are not staying close to our homes, and which we are, and now 180,000 lives being lost because of this pandemic. With that, what did you make of the Vice President s speech last night and the overall reaction youre hearing about it . Well, i think a key point from the Vice President s speech seems to be a continuation of something we heard earlier this week, and thats this idea that the pandemic is over, that it has been a success in terms of how it was handled, and that President Trump is responsible for that success, and the reality is none of those things are true except for President Trump being responsible, although, it has not been viewed as a success. And the reality that hes having another event after his big event in oklahoma a few months ago that ended up being, quite frankly, deadly for one of his highprofile performers, herman cain, that hes not taking it seriously, although he should be as the death toll continues to rise. Theres another theme emerging out of all of this, and im wondering if the president is going to go hard on it tonight in its acceptance speech when talking about law and order. It reminded me of Richard Nixons speeches and talking about law and order back then, and you feel like the president is now taking a page out of that book and wanting to talk about instituting law and order, that hes going to be the person that does that. The Vice President touched on that last night as well. What are you expecting to hear from the president tonight, and do you feel as if the country is hearing this message from the president , this idea of law and order, that they think this is the president that can do it . Well, we know the president has leaned into the idea that cities in america are not safe for a while and that something needs to happen to change that. And the reality that were currently in a time where there are protests, some of them violent and some of them disastrous to buildings and other property does really work in the president s favor. We have to also remember that the president isnt really talking to all americans and the campaign hasnt been secretive about the fact theyre not interested in leading all americans when you listen to them attack certain groups of machineries. When the president and his allies argue that some of the cities arent safe. They talk about having won in 2016 and that includes suburban women, independent voters, and americans who just like to enjoy cities, not necessarily live there, but consume them and engage in their culture, but leave them. They feel like they cant do that right now. What theyre not talking about a lot is how often protesters are actually demonstrating against systemic racism that they believe the president has perpetuated and cultivated, and hes offered no solutions for that. That would perhaps in many cases stop what he finds to be so destructive about whats happening in cities. Yeah. Its such a good point. Theyre talking about the fact that they can be the president , the Vice President that preserves law and order in the streets burke they dont talk about why the people are protesting in the first place and what has fed this always. Thanks a lot. Still ahead, what were learning from the national con vechlks apparently some didnt know video of the event would be aired. Also wre going to track the path of the hurricane. It came on as a powerful cat 4 storm along the gulf coast. Its been downgraded now to a account goir category 3 as its moving inland. Were back in a moment. Moving inland were back in a moment im a verizon engineer, and im part of the Team Building the most powerful 5g experience for america. Its 5g ultra wideband, and its already available in parts of select cities. Like los angeles and in new york city. And its rolling out in cities around the country. With massive capacity, its like an eight lane highway compared to a two lane dirt road. 25x faster than todays 4g networks. In fact, its the fastest 5g in the world. From the network more people rely on. This is 5g built right. Only on verizon. Concentration in we suppohectic times. Oments, and focus to win the day. Unlike ordinary memory supplements. Neurivas clinically proven ingredients fuel 5 indicators of brain performance. Take the neuriva challenge with our moneyback guarantee burke just an app. neighbor whatcha working on. Its called signal from farmers, and it could save you up to fifteen percent on your auto insurance. Simply sign up, drive and save. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum welcome back. Tuesday night at the rnc featured a naturalization ceremony presided by the president. Critics called it blurring the lines between political and official duties. Two women who were newly sworn in as citizens of the white house told the wall street journal they did not know the ceremony would be aired. One of the women said while she filled out a Media Release form, she does not remember being inforli informed about the rnc. Both women said they did not mind but were celebrating their new citizenship. Also white house chief of staff mark meadows has dismissed what many in the administration have called a violation of the hatch act saying, quote no, one outside the beltway really cares. According to politico, meadows said critics are applying the law beyond its original intent. He said what its designed to do is to make sure people like myself and others do not try to use their political position to convince other federal employees to vote one way. We take it it on well beyond the original intent of the hatch act. Critics argue conclude its using the backdrop for rnc events as well as the Convention Speech by mike pompeo while in jerusalem while in his official capacity. It says certain areas of the white house grounds are traditionally exempt from the ban on political activity including the rose garden where the first lady gave her address on tuesday night. Still ahead, were going to check in with meteorologist bill karins once again as hurricane laura lashes the gulf coast with extremely heavy rain and winds. Were back in a moment. In and ws were back in a moment stelara® can provide relief, and is the only approved medication to reduce inflammation on and below the surface of the intestine in uc. You, getting on that flight . Back off, uc. Stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. Before treatment, get tested for tb. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flulike symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. Rpls, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition, may be possible. Some serious allergic reactions and lung inflammation can occur. Lasting remission can start with stelara®. If youve been financially impacted by covid19, janssen may be able to help. When ourkids, bedtime her kids moved in with us. She was worried we wouldnt be able to keep up. Course we can. What couldnt keep up was our bargain detergent. Turns out its mostly water, and that doesnt work as well on stains. So, we switched back to tide. One wash, stains are gone. Kind of like our quiet time. [daughter slurping] what are you doing . Dont pay for water. Tide is concentrated with three times the active cleaning ingredients. If its got to be clean, its got to be tide. We live with at t and we are well past the honeocupado tom. At t, whats this i hear about you advertising a 100 Fiber Network . Only like a fraction of my customers can get that. Thats it . . You have such a glass halfempty attitude. The glass is more than halfempty you need to relax tom. Oh tom, you need a little tom time. A little tt. Stop living with at t. Xfinity delivers gig speeds to more homes than anyone. Welcome back, everybody. Im yasmin vossoughian. Were going to begin this hour tracking hurricane laura that made landfall at 2 00 a. M. Eastern this morning that brought with it extreme winds, storm surge, and flash flooding. Still downgraded to a category 3 storm. I want to bring in meteorologist bill karins. Bill, as you and i have done a lot of coverage of these things together, we know theres a s