Louisiana is bracing for impact as Hurricane Francine, which strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane, intensifies over the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisiana is bracing for impact as Hurricane Francine, which strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane, intensifies over the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisiana is bracing for impact as Hurricane Francine, which strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane, intensifies over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to reach Category 2 strength by the time it makes landfall on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Both Louisiana and neighboring Mississippi have declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm's arrival. Francine is forecasted to bring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of rainfall, with the potential for tornadoes and damaging winds impacting much of central and eastern Louisiana.
Residents in eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, southern Alabama, and western Florida are urged to finalize their hurricane preparations by Tuesday evening. A dangerous storm surge could push water inland by up to 10 feet (3 meters), threatening coastal areas.
Michael Brennan, director of the NHC, advised residents to secure their safe spaces by tonight and to prepare for sheltering in place until Thursday. The hurricane is also expected to cause significant flash and urban flooding in parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans.
Several coastal parishes in Louisiana are under voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders, and many schools and colleges have closed. US oil and gas companies in the Gulf, including Exxon Mobil and Shell, have evacuated staff and paused operations.
As Louisiana recently marked the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which caused widespread devastation and loss of life, the state is on high alert. Texas is also preparing, with Governor Greg Abbott urging residents to follow local guidance and prepare for potential changes in the storm's path.
As of Tuesday evening, Tropical Storm Francine was approximately 360 miles (579 km) southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana. The hurricane season, which typically lasts until November, has seen a quieter start this year, but Francine's development underscores the unpredictable nature of tropical storms.
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