Storm targets Louisiana

Louisiana residents prepared for landfall Wednesday after Francine strengthened into a hurricane, threatening the Gulf Coast with damaging winds, up to 12 inches of rain and storm surges of up to 10 feet in some areas.

The Category 1 hurricane reached sustained winds of 90 mph early Wednesday and forecasters warned the storm was expected to reach the central Louisiana coast Wednesday afternoon or evening. The National Weather Service in New Orleans said impacts from the storm from early Wednesday into Thursday morning include coastal flooding, strong winds, heavy rains and a few tornadoes.

“Life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds are expected in Louisiana later today,” the National Hurricane Center warned in a warning.

The center said significant strengthening was likely on Wednesday, and AccuWeather's computer models used to forecast possible increases in intensity showed Francine approaching or reaching Category 2 strength. An increase in wind shear and the intrusion of dry air mean the hurricane is not expected to strengthen further as it makes landfall, but will continue to pose a “significant risk” once it reaches the Louisiana coast, the center said.

Francine is forecast to move into Mississippi as a tropical depression and then north into the Mississippi Valley, reaching Memphis by Thursday night.

Developments:

∎ As of early Wednesday, Francine was about 245 miles off Morgan City, Louisiana, according to the hurricane center.

∎ President Joe Biden approved Louisiana's emergency order late Tuesday after state officials delivered a letter to him urging him to grant the request. The federal emergency order will support response and disaster relief efforts.

∎ In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott spoke of a “high probability” of life-threatening storm surge and urged Gulf Coast residents to follow local authorities’ advice, including possible evacuations.

Louisiana prepares for landfall:Francine strengthens into a hurricane:

Residents are asked to “barricade themselves”

The National Weather Service in New Orleans warned that areas along and west of the Pearl River should prepare for damaging winds, while areas in bayou parishes and some lower riverside communities should prepare for hurricane-force winds. Other likely problems include power outages and damage to trees, mobile homes and roofs.

“Conditions will worsen throughout the day! Make sure you complete all preparations as soon as possible!” the bureau tweeted. “Then prepare to take cover and seek shelter through the night!”

Francine's rain will have a big impact

Francine is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rainfall. Local amounts of up to 12 inches are possible in southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night, the hurricane center said. The rainfall could cause “significant” flash flooding and urban flooding.

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were in effect in many Louisiana parishes, including Terrebonne and Lafourche. Emergency shelters were opened in Terrebonne Parish. Mandatory evacuations in Lafourche Parish include residents of a FEMA-provided housing unit or state-provided mobile home.

Oil and gas shutdowns in Louisiana ahead of Francine

The storm prompted oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico to shut down production. Energy companies halted production of 412,070 barrels of oil per day – about 24 percent of production – and evacuated employees from 130 production platforms, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said Tuesday.

About 26 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf was offline, according to reports submitted to the offshore regulator. The region produces about 15 percent of U.S. oil production and two percent of natural gas production, according to Reuters.

Sources familiar with operations at Exxon Mobil Corp.'s Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refinery also told Reuters the company would cut production as Francine is expected to pass east of the facility. The company plans to cut production to as much as 20% of the refinery's 522,500 barrels-per-day capacity by Wednesday, when Francine comes ashore.

Citizens are asked to “develop a game plan”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who previously declared a state of emergency, urged residents to “make a plan, listen to local authorities and follow local news” to help minimize the impact of Francine.

Parts of the state could face storm surge of 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters), depending on the region, widespread flooding and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in some coastal communities in Texas and Louisiana.

Some schools were closed and sandbags were distributed.

Francine is the third hurricane to make landfall on the Gulf Coast this year

Francine could be the third hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year – Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, and Beryl near Matagorda Bay, Texas.

The most recent hurricane to hit Louisiana was Ida in 2021, according to AccuWeather. “Between 2019 and 2021, Louisiana experienced eight tropical storms or hurricane landfalls, including major hurricanes Laura and Ida,” AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said in an online report.

Storm targets Louisiana

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Storm targets Louisiana

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