Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declares state emergency ahead of Francine’s impact

Jacques Thibodeaux, director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Prepareness, addresses the media ahead of Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to become a hurricane, Monday.

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a statewide emergency Monday for Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to become a hurricane when it hits the Louisiana coast Wednesday.

“We don’t want to downplay the event, but we also don’t want people to panic,” Landry said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

The storm was forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane but could strengthen into a Category 2, said Jacques Thibodeaux, director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Tormenta tropical Francine adviso publico en Español

Francine is expected to make landfall anytime from mid-afternoon to the evening Wednesday, Thibodeaux said. Residents can anticipate heavy rain from 7 to 9 inches, with the potential for inland flooding in low-lying areas and inundation from storm surge.

The Landry administration said coastal parishes in general are expected to be affected, but didn’t specify where they feel the storm poses the greatest threat to come ashore.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service places the highest likelihood for Francine’s landfall along an area between the mouth of the Sabine River at the Texas-Lousiana border east to St. Mary Parish south of Morgan City.

The National Weather Service also has a tropical storm warning in place from Morgan City to Grand Isle and from High Island, Texas, to Sabine Pass in Cameron Parish.

“Stay off the roads and remain vigilant,” Thibodeaux said at a Baton Rouge press conference Monday afternoon.

The governor said he has already been in communication with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and hopes President Joe Biden will issue a federal disaster declaration prior to the storm reaching Louisiana. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy has also asked Biden for an emergency declaration.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST

Disaster declarations typically make it easier for Louisiana and the federal government to respond quickly to a weather event.

“Those people living along the coast should heed their local officials’ warnings,” Landry said.

The governor said he plans to issue an executive offering further guidance on how nursing homes that are vulnerable to the storm should evacuate.

Landry directed Louisiana residents to getagameplan.org and the corresponding mobile app for information on how to prepare for the storm.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said residents should make sure their property insurance information is up to date and take photos of their home and its contents to capture their pre-storm condition. Homeowners should trim back limbs of trees near their houses that pose a damage risk if they fall, he said.

“Make copies of your policy and your insurance agent’s phone number,” Temple said. “If your home does have damage, make sure to document it.”

Landry said he plans to meet with statewide officials and his cabinet Tuesday morning ahead of an 11:30 press conference.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX