Baton Rouge is bracing for Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to make landfall in the capital region on Wednesday, bringing heavy rains and winds up to 79 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Residents could feel tropical storm force winds as early as late Tuesday, but Francine will likely pass through Baton Rouge late Wednesday morning and into the afternoon, meteorologist Brigette Lim said.

Francine could be a Category 2 hurricane when it makes landfall, but is expected to hit the capital region as a strong tropical storm or weak Category 1 hurricane, Lim said. It is expected to leave the region late Wednesday evening.

Lim said the eye of the storm could move west of Baton Rouge, but shifts over the next day could make a big difference.

Lim predicted peak winds of 58 to 73 miles per hour in the Baton Rouge area and rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches, with even more in certain areas.

Due to last week’s rains, the ground is waterlogged and therefore more vulnerable to flooding, Lim said.

The NWS urges people to prepare for rain and wind by checking the latest weather forecasts, stocking up on supplies before the storm, and checking on family members and pets.

Local preparations are underway

At a press conference Monday morning, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome said it was “critical” to take the storm seriously and urged residents to begin preparing immediately.

According to Fred Raiford, head of the Department of Transportation and Drainage, workers have been taking measures to contain the flooding in recent days.

“The good thing I can tell you is that we have cleared many canals throughout the municipality,” he said, adding that workers continue to monitor and clean the region’s drainage systems.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said officers would be on hand to assist emergency responders in the event of flooding or traffic lights being out due to electrical problems.

Morse advised residents to call 311 for incidents such as fallen trees, flooding or similar matters and to keep the 911 number as free as possible.

The mayor said the city is also prepared to open emergency shelters if circumstances require it, such as major power outages or if residents are forced to leave their homes.

The 2024 East Baton Rouge mayoral candidates’ forum scheduled for Wednesday evening was postponed ahead of the storm, reported WBRZ, which was scheduled to broadcast the forum.

A new date for the event has not yet been set.

Where can you get sandbags?

Sandbags are available at eight different BREC parking locations throughout the city and residents must bring their own shovels to fill them. They are available at the following BREC locations:

• Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Hwy.
• Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Mayer Rd.
• Cadillac Street – 6117 Cadillac St.
• Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Rd.
• Flannery Road Park – 801 S. Flannery Rd.
• Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Ln.
• Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Rd.
• Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss St.

In Livingston Parish, sandbags can be found at the following locations:

• District 5 Fire Station #1 – 8098 Florida Blvd., Denham Springs, LA 70726
• 4th District Fire Station #3 – 34893 HWY 1019, Denham Springs, LA 70706
• 4th District Fire Station #5 – 18525 Clio St., Port Vincent, LA 70726
• 4th District Fire Station #9 – 9100 Hillon Hood, Denham Springs, LA 70726
• Springfield Fire Department — 32280 Terry Street, Springfield, LA 70462
• Killian City Hall — 28284 LA 22, Killian, LA 70462
• Maurepas Fire Stations 1 & 2 – 20368 Hwy 22, Maurepas, LA 70449 and 23634 Hwy 22, Maurepas, LA 70449

Residents of West Baton Rouge Parish can obtain sandbags at the following locations:

• William & Lee Park — 1631 Louisiana Ave., Port Allen
• Rivault Park – 900 South Jefferson Ave., Port Allen
• Alexander Park — 250 Elaine St., Brusly
• Myhand Park – 8201 Laws Road, Addis
• Addis Fire Station – 6875 Hwy 1, Addis
• Erwinville Park – 5110 Rougon Road, Port Allen
• South Winterville Water Tower – 2251 S. Winterville Lane, Port Allen
• Lobdell Fire Station – 2937 Lafiton Lane, Port Allen

Residents must bring their own shovels to fill sandbags, the township government said in a news release. To report fallen trees, debris and other non-emergency storm issues, email [email protected].

school closings

The following school districts announced campus closures or virtual classes prior to the storm.

• The Louisiana School for the Deaf and Visually Impaired changed its operations, dismissing students living in the dorms and having them learn virtually while day students continue to attend school in person until further notice.
• Thrive Academy, a boarding school, is closed Wednesday through Friday.
• Assumption Parish schools are closed on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
• St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Paincourtville was closed on Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Iberville Community Schools are closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Iberville Charter Academy closes on Wednesday.
• St. John Catholic School in Plaquemine is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• St. James Parish public schools are closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School in Paulina is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.