Francine strengthens into a Category 2 hurricane; makes landfall

Despite forecasters predicting that Hurricane Francine would not strengthen before landfall, the storm gained strength during its final push towards land, becoming a Category 2 hurricane in the process.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Francine made landfall just before 5 p.m. Wednesday in Terrebonne Parish near Dead Alligator point, 27 miles south-southwest of Morgan City. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 100 miles per hour, with wind gusts of 105 miles per hour recorded at Eugene Island.

Despite its last-minute increase in wind speed, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center say Francine will begin to dissipate once the eye crosses onto land.

"After landfall, Francine is expected to quickly weaken while also losing tropical characteristics," meteorologists said in the NHC's 4 p.m. forecast discussion. "Transition to an extratropical cyclone is expected to be complete by Friday morning, with the cyclone forecast to dissipate after 60 (hours)."