Hurricane Francine has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, with landfall expected in Louisiana on Wednesday. The storm is predicted to bring significant flooding, dangerous storm surges, and damaging winds to the US Gulf Coast. In response, multiple parishes in Louisiana have issued mandatory evacuation orders, urging residents to prepare for the storm’s impact.
As Hurricane Francine approaches Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Shell has paused drilling operations at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, both directly in the path of the storm. Louisiana is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with potentially up to 10 inches of rain, damaging hurricane-force winds, and a life-threatening storm surge of up to 10 feet at the coast.
Calcasieu Parish has activated emergency response plans throughout the parish, including in towns such as DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton, and Westlake. Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential evacuations, especially those living in low-lying areas or mobile homes. Sandbagging stations have also been established across the state.
Evacuation orders have been issued for southern parts of Cameron Parish, including all areas south of the Kelso Bayou Bridge. Parish officials are urging residents who do not live in these communities but live in flood-prone areas to consider evacuating as well. All New Orleans Public Schools will dismiss students early on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the storm’s impact.
Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has been in constant contact with the National Weather Service, local and state officials, preparing for Hurricane Francine’s landfall. She encourages residents to make preparations now, as the storm is expected to bring heavy rain, gusty to damaging winds, and possibly tornadoes.
Hurricane Francine comes at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, with forecasters tracking two other areas for potential development this week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a Hurricane Warning for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to Grand Isle, which includes Baton Rouge. Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Warnings now extend from far eastern Texas to Mississippi. A Hurricane Watch is in place for Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain, and metropolitan New Orleans.
According to the NHC, Hurricane Francine is expected to remain just offshore of Mexico’s northern Gulf Coast through Tuesday, then approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines on Wednesday. The storm is forecast to intensify through Wednesday’s landfall. Heavy rain and a storm surge are anticipated for the Texas Gulf Coast as the storm strengthens and moves along the coastline. Galveston, Houston, and Beaumont could experience several inches of rain, which may trigger flash flooding. Louisiana could see 5-8 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds, and a life-threatening storm surge.
