Louisiana woke up to scenes of destruction after Hurricane Laura tore apart buildings and trees.
Video / AP
People in the path of Hurricane Laura who haven't already evacuated have been requested to perform a grim task – put their name on a piece of paper, put that in a plastic bag and stuff it in their pocket.
An official in the state of Louisiana, which is being pummelled by the massive storm, said they "prayed it does not come to this" but it could help identify victims.
Hurricane Laura struck the coast of Louisiana as a category-4 storm at about 1.15am local time (6.15pm NZT).
Winds of up to 240km/h were measured as Laura pounded the coast.
James Sonya surveys what is left of his uncle's barber shop after Hurricane Laura passed through the area on August 27, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana . Photo / Getty
Injuries have been reported from flying debris and falling glass and almost half a million are without power.
A storm surge warning is in place for an almost 700km stretch of coast from south of Houston to New Orleans.
Grim request
A vast area of Louisiana, as well as neighbouring states, has been a mandatory evacuation zone in the lead up to the storm arriving.
Authorities are worried not just by the ferocity of the storm itself but also the storm surge which could be as high as six metres and push 45km inland.
But many people have chosen to remain despite the repeated pleas to leave.
On Thursday, the Sheriff's Office in Vermilion, on the coast close to where Laura emerged from the sea, issued the brutal advice.
"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," the sheriff's office said in a statement, reported CNN.
"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 (sandwich) bag in your pocket. Praying that it does not come to this."
It's thought as many as 150 people stayed in the town of Cameron, which was directly under the eye of the storm as it left the Gulf of Mexico.
Officials have said they may not be able to reach Cameron until Friday at the earliest.
In Lake Charles, also close to the coast, injuries have been reported.
Smoke is seen rising from what is reported to be a chemical plant fire after Hurricane Laura passed through the area on August 27, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Photo / Getty
On Twitter, storm chaser Jeff Piotrowski said flying glass from skyscrapers had fallen on people below. Other footage showed the roof being ripped of a hotel in the city with people apparently in rooms below and glass shorn off office buildings.
Forecasters have said the storm is so strong it could remain a category-1 hurricane by the time it reaches Little Rock, Arkansas, some 400km inland.
Laura is reportedly the strongest storm in 164 years to hit Louisiana, a state that is no stranger to hurricanes.
