Francine projected to reach Cat. 2 before landfall

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Tropical Storm Francine has continuously better organized over the past 24 hours and is now logging sustained winds of 65 mph with a movement to the NNW at 5 mph. This storm will make landfall on Wednesday, high confidence that exact location will be somewhere near Vermilion Bay, La as a Category 2 Hurricane with peak winds near 100 mph.

Storm surge is a growing concern for our coastal communities. Surge of 9 ft or higher can be expected near Vermilion Bay and Marsh Island.

A hurricane warning is issued for Cameron, Vermilion, St. Mary, and Iberia Parishes.

Life threatening surge and wind are possible. Trees will be uprooted. Structural damage to homes is possible, especially mobile homes. Large debris will be airborne in the hurricane force winds. See safe shelter or evacuate. Widespread power outages will occur.

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