Tropical Storm Francine could become hurricane Tuesday; coastal flooding expected

Tropical Storm Francine weakened overnight Monday but is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Tuesday as it heads north and northeast through the western Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it a risk of coastal flooding and rip currents, the National Weather Service Corpus Christi said.

Francine is expected to be just offshore of the coasts of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas through Tuesday and make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said in a Tuesday morning advisory. Francine formed into a tropical storm Monday morning.

Coastal flooding of up to 3 feet is expected along area beaches and in low-lying areas along the bays through Wednesday night, the weather service said in an emailed update. A high risk of rip currents is also in effect through Thursday afternoon. Dangerous swimming conditions are possible, especially near piers and jetties.

Up to 1 inch of rainfall is expected, mainly along the immediate coast. Locally higher amounts are possible.

As Tuesday progressed, chances of sustained winds dropped slightly. Shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service forecast a 30% to 60% probability of tropical-storm-force winds — equal to or exceeding 39 mph — and a 10% probability along the coast.

The winds could cause damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds and unanchored mobile homes and could blow about unsecured lightweight objects. Many large tree limbs may break off. A few roads may be impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Driving conditions could be hazardous on bridges and other elevated roadways.

Scattered power and communications outages are possible.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Tropical Storm Francine could become hurricane Tuesday; coastal flooding expected