Storm reaches near hurricane strength and targets Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Francine rapidly intensified Tuesday as it raged off the Texas Gulf Coast. It is forecast to reach hurricane strength Tuesday and make landfall off the Louisiana coast as a powerful Category 2 storm on Wednesday.

“The storm is slowly gaining momentum,” said Alex Dasilva, hurricane expert at AccuWeather, adding that high water temperatures in the Gulf are serving as “rocket fuel” for the system.

The National Weather Service said Francine was expected to pass just off the coast of Texas through Tuesday and make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds were already at 65 mph, with stronger gusts early Tuesday. “Significant strengthening” was forecast before landfall.

Francine was expected to inundate much of Louisiana and Mississippi with 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain. Some areas could see 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rainfall by Friday morning, which “could result in significant flash flooding and urban flooding.”

Developments:

∎ According to the weather service, some tornadoes are possible in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday.

∎ Swell generated by Francine is expected to spread across the northwestern and northern coasts of the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday.

∎ Energy companies began evacuating offshore workers on several production platforms ahead of the storm. The port of Brownsville, Texas, was closed and other ports from Corpus Christi north to Galveston imposed restrictions.