$200 Million in Damage: McNeese's Mandatory Evacuation as Cat 4 Laura Targeted Lake Charles

McNeese State University will close at 5 p.m. today, Monday, August 24, due to the threat of Hurricane Laura. All classes are canceled through Friday, August 28. Residence halls will close at 12 noon Tuesday, August 25 -- all on-campus residents must depart by that time. Students who do not have a place to go should contact the Office of Student Services immediately at 337-475-5610. The university will provide bus transportation to the State of Louisiana mega-shelter in Alexandria for students requiring assistance. Buses will depart Burton Coliseum parking lot at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

MCNEESE ALERT: Calcasieu Parish has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION effective 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, August 25. All McNeese campuses are closed. All students, faculty, and staff must evacuate the area now. Hurricane Laura is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane Wednesday night with life-threatening storm surge. DO NOT shelter in place in Lake Charles. Latest updates: mcneese.edu/emergency.

Hurricane Laura made landfall last night as a Category 4 hurricane near Cameron. McNeese State University has sustained extensive damage across the campus. Initial assessment indicates that 50 buildings have lost roofing, including Cowboy Stadium and the Health and Human Performance Education Complex. Power and water are out across campus. The University remains closed until further notice. Students, faculty and staff: DO NOT return to Lake Charles until further notice from McNeese and parish officials. Fall classes will pivot to remote instruction; details will be communicated in the coming days. President Burns: 'McNeese has weathered storms before. We will rebuild, and we will come back stronger.'