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Scripps News
Francine makes landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane
By Scripps News Staff,
13 hours ago
This satellite image shows Hurricane Francine nearing landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday, Sept. 11. A satellite view of Hurricane Francine as it approaches Louisiana. Cars drive through rain bands along Peter Rd., just outside New Orleans, ahead of Tropical Storm Francine, in Harvey, La., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
Hurricane Francine made landfall on the coast of Louisiana at Category 2 strength Wednesday afternoon.
The center of the storm was about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, and about 100 miles west-southwest of New Orleans. The National Weather Service said maximum sustained winds had reached 100 mph.
Tropical storm and hurricane conditions were already lashing parts of Louisiana's coastline with wind and rain earlier on Wednesday. As much as 12 inches of rain could fall in some areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama and Florida through Thursday night. The National Weather Service says considerable flash flooding and river flooding are possible.
The storm was forecast to drive storm surge in coastal areas of Louisiana: as much as 5-10 feet between Burns Point and Port Fourchon, 4-6 feet in Lake Pontchartrain and 3-5 feet in Lake Maurepas.
Hurricane warnings are in place along the Louisiana coast, extending from Vermilion/Cameron Line eastward to Grand Isle. A hurricane watch is in effect for Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including the metropolitan New Orleans area.
The hurricane has been churning over the last few days in the Gulf of Mexico as it drifted north toward Louisiana.
The winds could damage the state's power grid. Kathryn Bowman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission said the state has 7,500 additional crew members ready to respond to the store.
Ahead of Francine's landfall, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency and asked President Joe Biden to declare the hurricane a federal disaster.
“After declaring a State of Emergency, we have now determined that this storm is of such severity that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments. This federal assistance is needed to save lives and property, and I look forward to President Biden quickly approving this request,” said Landry.
Landry has also urged those in evacuation zones to seek higher ground before the storm's landfall.
Once Francine makes landfall, its storm surge and winds are expected to subside, but heavy rain could extend far inland.
"Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and northern Florida through Thursday night. Flash and urban flooding is probable across the Lower Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday night into Friday morning," wrote Brad Reinhart, National Hurricane Center senior hurricane specialist.
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