Francine becomes a hurricane, heads for Louisiana landfall

7 days ago

WWNO

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

Hurricane Francine - Figure 1 — Photo WWNO

Published September 10, 2024 at 8:04 AM CDT

Francine strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday evening as the storm inched closer to the Louisiana coast.

The storm is forecast to make landfall in Louisiana sometime Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane with 92 mph winds.

New Orleans was placed under a hurricane watch Tuesday afternoon, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

At 7 p.m. CT Tuesday, Francine was centered about 350 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It was moving northeast at 10 mph.

Hurricane Francine - Figure 2 — Photo WWNO

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken at 2:21 p.m. EDT and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 10 2024. (NOAA via AP)

The storm is forecast to move across the northwestern Gulf Tuesday evening, before it makes landfall in Louisiana sometime Wednesday or Wednesday night.

How could it impact Louisiana?

It’s too soon to determine the exact timing and location of the storm’s landfall, but it's expected to bring potentially life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds to parts of Louisiana beginning Tuesday night.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Francine is expected to bring storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches across eastern Louisiana.

Southern Louisiana and other areas along the Gulf Coast could see up to 8 inches of rain into Thursday morning with some areas seeing isolated amounts of 12 inches, which could cause considerable flash and urban flooding.

Hurricane Francine - Figure 3 — Photo WWNO

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The NHC says water levels along the immediate coast could reach the following heights above ground level within the indicated areas.

Forecasters said the storm surge could bring water between 3 to 10 feet above ground level in some parts.

Watches in effect

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

Sabine Pass Texas to the Mississippi/Alabama BorderVermilion BayLake MaurepasLake Pontchartrain

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

The Louisiana coast from Cameron eastward to Grand Isle

A storm surge watch is in effect for:

Mississippi/Alabama Border to the Alabama/Florida BorderMobile Bay

A hurricane watch is in effect for:

Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

Texas and Louisiana coasts east of High Island to CameronEast of Grand Isle Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida borderLake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans Be prepared

Be sure to monitor weather updates, and have a plan in place. Use this guide to help you and your family prepare.