Francine to become hurricane by Tuesday as Texas, Louisiana rush preparations

Tropical Storm Francine is expected to become a hurricane Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and will threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast with flooding rain, a life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds from East Texas to Mississippi. 

The current National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast calls for a dangerous Category 2 hurricane landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for people in multiple parishes as state and local leaders have urged people to prepare for the storm’s fury.

“Now is the time for Louisianans to prepare for impacts from Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to become a hurricane … so get your game plan in place, monitor the news, and take advice from local officials,” said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, issuing a state of emergency that allows parishes statewide to have the resources needed to help protect the lives of residents.

Texas, Louisiana preparing for Francine

Heavy rain is hitting South Texas as the storm intensifies offshore on Tuesday. Eventually, that rain will move north into places like Galveston, Houston and Beaumont, where an inch or two of rain could trigger flash flooding.

As Francine approaches the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Shell has taken precautionary measures by pausing drilling operations at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico – both of which lie directly in the storm’s path. 

Louisiana will bear the brunt of this storm. The state could see as much as 10 inches of rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge up to 10 feet at the coast.

Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Anthony Bartie issued an emergency declaration Monday ahead of Francine’s arrival in Louisiana. The declaration activates emergency response plans and protocols throughout the parish, including in towns such as DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake.

Calcasieu’s Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Jared Maze urged residents to be ready, especially those living in low-lying areas or mobile homes. He encouraged them to be prepared to evacuate if needed. Sandbagging stations have also been established throughout the state.

Evacuation orders were issued for southern parts of Cameron Parish, including all areas south of the Kelso Bayou Bridge. Parish officials are also urging people who do not live in those communities but live in flood-prone areas to consider evacuating. 

All New Orleans Public Schools will dismiss students early on Tuesday as a precautionary measure ahead of likely Hurricane Francine. To assess the storm’s impact, the schools will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she has been in constant contact with the National Weather Service, along with local and state officials, as preparations are made for Francine’s landfall.

“This storm is expected to bring threats of heavy rain, gusty to damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes,” she said. “I want to encourage everyone to make preparations now.”

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Francine, which had been known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, comes at the peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Right on schedule, forecasters are tracking multiple areas of concern for potential development this week.

What’s the latest with Tropical Storm Francine?

As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Francine is located about 120 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande or about 425 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.

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Where are watches and warnings in effect because of Tropical Storm Francine?

Because of Francine’s threat, alerts are in effect for large sections of the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Alabama.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass eastward to Grand Isle. Tropical Storm Warnings now span the northwest Gulf Coast from far eastern Texas to Mississippi.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in place for the Texas coast from Port Mansfield northward to High Island and has been expanded to include the Alabama coastline and inland Mississippi.

Storm Surge Warnings are in place along the coast from Texas to Mississippi. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the Alabama coast, including Mobile Bay.

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Where is Tropical Storm Francine going?

According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Francine is expected to remain just offshore of Mexico’s northern Gulf Coast through Tuesday, then approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Francine is forecast to intensify through Wednesday and will become a hurricane before it reaches the northwestern Gulf Coast.

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The Texas Gulf Coast will experience heavy rain and a storm surge as the storm intensifies and moves along the coast. 

Places such as Galveston, Houston and Beaumont are expected to see several inches of rain, which could trigger flash flooding. Louisiana could see 5-8 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge.

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