According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hurricane Francine is moving across the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm and is expected to move northeast toward the Louisiana coast today.
The storm is expected to make landfall west of Morgan City as a Category 2 storm, with impacts expected to reach the Louisiana coast starting Wednesday morning.
Francine is forecast to bring storm surge along the coast, damaging winds, and possible flooding in southern Louisiana. The storm is expected to quickly dissipate inland.
Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency, which was signed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday night, and several communities have issued evacuation orders and curfews ahead of the storm.
Stay tuned for live updates on Wednesday as Francine reaches the Louisiana coast.
Francine gets stronger overnight
According to an analysis by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hurricane Francine’s maximum sustained wind speed reached 90 miles per hour and it was moving northeast at about 10 miles per hour.
The storm is forecast to continue to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) over the next 12 hours before encountering light wind shear that could weaken it before making landfall near Morgan City.
A graphic released by the National Hurricane Center at 4 a.m. on September 11, 2024 shows the possible path of Hurricane Francine.
Once Francine makes landfall, it is expected to weaken rapidly.
Storm surge is expected to be 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) from Intracoastal City to Port Fourchon and Vermilion Bay. Storm surge is expected to be 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 meters) from Port Fourchon to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Wind speed forecast from Wednesday 4 a.m.
Some tornadoes are possible in parts of southeast Louisiana on Wednesday.
Threats and impacts at 5am pic.twitter.com/3pvjx5HEE1
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) 11 September 2024
— 5 a.m.
Francine gets stronger overnight
Francine intensified into a Category 1 hurricane shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday, reaching sustained winds of 75 mph by 10 p.m.
By 1 a.m., maximum wind speeds had reached 90 miles per hour.
Once the storm makes landfall, it will quickly move across Louisiana as it weakens over land.
— 1 o’clock
Jim Cantore reports from Morgan City
The Weather Channel’s hurricane expert was near the Louisiana coast Tuesday night, providing live updates on the storm’s path and track. He also stopped by a local bakery and tried a “shrimp boil” cupcake with his face on it.
– 12 o’clock
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