A cone on a map of the Gulf of Mexico shows the projected path of Hurricane Francis as it moves toward the Louisiana coast. The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday and then weaken as it moves into Mississippi on Thursday.
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Hurricane Francine is moving across the warm waters of the western Gulf of Mexico and is targeting the Louisiana coast and the greater New Orleans area, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday evening; its maximum sustained winds are now over 90 mph. At 10 a.m. CT, Francine was located about 150 miles southwest of Morgan City, La., and moving northeast at 13 mph.
“Francine is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late this afternoon or evening,” the hurricane center said on Wednesday.
If the storm surge coincides with high tide, water levels could be 5 to 10 feet above ground in areas between Louisiana’s Intracoastal City and Vermilion Bay and Port Fourchon.
The hurricane’s outer rainbands hit Lafayette, Baton Rouge and other areas of southern Louisiana. Wednesday morning. In the Gulf, an oil rig north of the center recently reported a peak gust of 105 mph, the NHC said.
Evacuations and hurricane warning for New Orleans
The center of Hurricane Francis is expected to make landfall near Morgan City, Louisiana, west of New Orleans, as seen in this map. Meteorologists warn that heavy rains and a storm surge of 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) will pose a serious threat to people in low-lying areas and along the coast.
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Parishes along the coast gave mandatory or voluntary evacuations this week, warning of Flooding, high winds and other impacts from the storm. On Tuesday, Iberia Parish also imposed a curfew that begins at 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday and lasts until 7 a.m. Thursday.
A hurricane warning is in effect for a stretch of coastal Louisiana, meaning that hurricane-force winds are expected in the region. It stretches from the border between Vermilion and Cameron counties in the east to Grand Isle, south of New Orleans.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the greater New Orleans area, meaning hurricane-force winds are possible within 24 hours. The coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, where storm surge warnings are also in effect, could see between 4 and 12 inches of rainfall.
“The lowest water levels will occur along the immediate coast near and east of the landfall location, where the storm surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the NHC said.
“Make sure you complete all preparations as soon as possible!” says the National Weather Service office in New Orleans. said“Then prepare to get to safety and seek shelter for the night!”
For anyone in the storm’s path, member station WWNO is providing ongoing coverage and a hurricane preparedness guide.
Forecast contains some welcome news
Hurricane Francine is visible over the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday morning. It is expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast and quickly weaken there – but it also brings with it a severe flooding threat.
NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES EAST
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While the risks and dangers of the hurricane are significant, there is also some good news in the forecast. First, it is not expected to strengthen very much before it makes landfall. And as it approaches land, conditions are expected to cause “drier air to envelop the southern portion of Francine as it approaches the coast. Therefore, the hurricane is not expected to strengthen further until landfall,” the hurricane center said.
Meteorologists also believe the hurricane’s floodwaters will not pose a threat to the levee system designed to reduce the risk of damage from hurricanes and storms in Louisiana. However, rising water levels could reach the tops of some local levees.
While some storms have caused their worst damage by lingering for days and dumping torrential rain, Francine is expected to weaken quickly and move into Mississippi by Thursday. But forecasters warn against complacency as the storm is exceedingly strong and could cause dangerous flash flooding and urban flooding.
“We have to keep an eye on this. It won’t be Laura, it won’t be Ida, but the impacts of this storm will be major as it moves into southern and southeastern Louisiana,” said state climatologist Jay Grymes.
President Biden declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on Tuesday, responding to a request from Governor Jeff Landry to expedite the delivery of aid and resources to the state.
