Francine forecast to hit Gulf Coast as Category 2 hurricane

( NewsNation ) — Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen before make landfall along the northern Gulf shore of Louisiana and the Texas coastline by Wednesday afternoon.

There, it is forecast to be be a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 100 mph.

Much of Louisiana is forecast to receive up to 12 inches of rain, while storm surges of 5-10 feet are expected between the cities of Lake Charles and Houma.

While New Orleans is likely to be spared the worst conditions, only a 2- to 4-foot storm surge is expected in the city.

Sustained winds of 65 mph are expected by Tuesday afternoon, with hurricane warnings already in place for the entire coast of Louisiana.

Texas’s South Padre Island is bracing for severe weather, with Gov. Greg Abbott deploying multiple rescue units, while the Texas National Guard is also on high alert.

As of Tuesday morning, there has been minimal impact on the Texas coast, but heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected this afternoon.

As of late morning Tuesday, Francine remained at tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system was located about 120 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande River and was moving north-northeastward at 8 mph.

The storm is moving over extremely warm Gulf waters that will serve as fuel to strengthen it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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