ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Credit unions along the Gulf Coast and in inland areas of Texas and Louisiana are closing operations and dealing with the arrival of a pair of major storms, while NCUA is urging all CUs to act to protect operations and staff.
Hurricane Laura began hitting Louisiana and Texas as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday night. Storm surges of as much as 15 feet are expected along with heavy rain. The storm has already killed nine people in the Caribbean.
Approximately 1.5 million people are under some type of evacuation order.
Hurricane Laura is arriving at the same time Tropical Storm Marco is hitting the Mississippi Delta region, also bringing with it high winds and heavy rains.
The storms are arriving nearly three years to the day after Hurricane Harvey struck the same region, hitting Houston particularly hard with extensive flooding.
NCUA Statement
Credit unions in the path of Hurricane Laura are being advised by NCUA to take precautions.
“Credit unions in Hurricane Laura’s path should take measures to protect their staff and secure their operations,” NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood said. “The NCUA will be closely monitoring the storm’s progress, and we stand ready to assist credit unions with maintaining or restoring operations, if necessary. Credit unions and members can find information on staying safe from several online resources, and we encourage everyone to be alert for official announcements and media reports as the hurricane draws near.”
Hurricane Laura’s current projected path could have it making landfall along the Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana as early as Wednesday evening.
NCUA noted it maintains a hurricane and disaster information page on its website as well as on MyCreditUnion.gov.