A century of U.S. statistics finds mortality rates and life expectancy were much worse for Black Americans during pre-pandemic years than they have been for white people during the COVID-19 crisis.

Hurricane Laura rapidly intensified before it made landfall. Abnormally hot water in the Gulf of Mexico helped it gain power.

"Even if you're well inland, you could still see some of these impacts," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham says.

When the storm's eyewall moved onshore around 1 a.m. ET, forecasters told people in its path, "TAKE COVER NOW!"