Louisiana prepares for Tropical Storm Francine as winds increase in Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Francine, which developed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, is strengthening and could become a hurricane by the end of the day.

“Francine is expected to be near the coasts of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas today and to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Tuesday morning, “Francine will likely become a hurricane today, and is expected to strengthen significantly before reaching the coast.”

“The storm is expected to bring precipitation totals of between 4 and 8 inches, with local amounts of up to 12 inches across much of Louisiana and Mississippi through Friday morning,” the center added.

Francine could make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, capable of inflicting damage to homes and widespread power outages, so some Louisiana communities have already begun evacuating.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, the center of Francine was about 120 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and about 415 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, and was moving very slowly north-northwest at 5 mph. It carried maximum sustained winds of 65 mph; if it reaches 74 mph, Francine will gain hurricane status.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Monday. “This state of emergency will allow parishes across the state to have the resources to help protect the lives, safety and well-being of Louisiana citizens (…) During this process, we will remain in constant contact with local officials and first responders and we will help them every step of the way.

Hurricane watches have already been issued for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass to Morgan City; and also for the Louisiana coast from Morgan City eastward to Grand Isle. A storm surge warning was issued for High Island, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River and Vermilion Bay.