More than half a million people were ordered to leave parts of Texas and Louisiana in the largest evacuation since the coronavirus pandemic began.

All of the deaths that are blamed on the Category 4 storm were attributed to powerful winds, far from the shore.

"We are in a period of epidemic growth," Prime Minister Jean Castex said. "We want to do everything to avoid a new lockdown." The order goes into effect Friday.

Trump said the campaign briefly considered postponing his convention speech, but he will now continue as planned and visit Texas and Louisiana over the weekend.