https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/27/laura-carves-destructive-path-through-louisiana-4-dead/ > By GERALD HERBERT, MELINDA DESLATTE and STACEY PLAISANCE > LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — One of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. pounded the Gulf Coast on Thursday, shearing off roofs and killing a least four people, as Laura barreled across Louisiana and maintained ferocious strength while carving a destructive path hundreds of miles inland.