Hurricane Francine hits Louisiana as a Cat 2 storm
Hurricane Francine hit Louisiana Wednesday
Hurricane Francine briefly strengthened into a category 2 storm on Wednesday afternoon before coming ashore in Louisiana. Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City with sustained winds of around 100 miles per hour. As of Wednesday evening, the National Hurricane Center said it expected life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds in Louisiana for the next several hours.
In addition, the National Hurricane Center said:
Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding across eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the western Florida panhandle through Thursday.
Predictions are for 5 to 10 feet (1.5 – 3 meters) of storm surge for most of coastal Louisiana. Many in this area will see 4 to 8 inches (1.2 – 2.4 centimeters) of rain, with some localized spots of 12 inches (30 cm) possible. And the flash flood threat extends all the way up to Tennessee, as Francine should reach the Memphis area – possibly still as a tropical storm – by Friday.
Check here for the latest forecasts and imagery for Francine from NOAA.
5pm CDT Sep 11th — #Francine has made landfall in southern Louisiana in the Parish of Terrebonne, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, as a Category 2 hurricane.
Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 100 mph (155 km/h).
TCU: https://t.co/31xmuEYovB pic.twitter.com/fvWoaJfZs8
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 11, 2024
Stay out of flood waters. You never know what's hidden or floating in the water. There could be animals or insects, power lines, chemicals or sewage, or other dangerous debris. pic.twitter.com/KubY4YoDhZ
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) September 12, 2024
Our multi-sensor precipitation estimation is showing 4 to 9 inches of rain had already fallen from #Francine over a very broad area of southeastern Louisiana between 9am and 9pm CDT today. This is an extremely dangerous flash flood situation for many. Do not attempt to drive in… pic.twitter.com/BlW1SigZBu
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 12, 2024
Early reports of damage
Hurricane Francine is already causing damage in Louisiana due to flooding and high winds.
Three ships have collided and are drifting down the river in Dulac, Louisiana via @MatthewCappucci: pic.twitter.com/38EL0Xnm4S
— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) September 11, 2024
First signs of damage. The roof of a church in Houma, LA has been ripped off and is laying across power lines. @ryanhallyall @RadarOmega #HurricaneFrancine pic.twitter.com/lsxXkMTSrx
— Brad Arnold (@BradArnoldWX) September 11, 2024
Wind and surge hammering Dulac, LA as the inner eyewall approaches. We are tracking the eye wall LIVE as it moves into Houma. #francine #HurricaneFrancine pic.twitter.com/w2vhGYZ5EL
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) September 11, 2024
Just watched a huge chunk of roof rip off the Ichiban restaurant in Houma, LA. #Francine #HurricaneFrancine pic.twitter.com/MJ3YSpkDdU
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) September 11, 2024
Roof damage here in Morgan City, LA. The eye wall is relentless. @NWSNewOrleans #lawx pic.twitter.com/c4p3SNQeqh
— Chad Casey (@WxFanaticCC) September 11, 2024
The house below is in Morgan City, Louisiana.
Francine 100 mph continues to cause extensive damage @ABC13Houston @Mattlanza @weatherchannel @rachelabc13 @TxStormChasers @spann @ErikOnTV @conexiontiempo
#lawx #hounews #abc13 pic.twitter.com/j7NPAazoSJ— Storm Chaser Houston (@StormChaserHTX) September 11, 2024
Francine flooding in Mexico and Texas
Earlier in the week, Francine largely stayed off the coast, sparing inhabitants of Mexico and Texas from storm surge. But some regions saw heavy rainfall, including SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
Starbase in southern Texas is already experiencing significant street flooding from storm surge and high tides caused by Tropical Storm Francine.#TXwx pic.twitter.com/O1nynoaefj
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 10, 2024
Across the border in Matamoros, Mexico, flooding has caused the cancellation of school.
#Lluvias intensas en #Matamoros provocaron inundaciones en las calles y con ello la suspensión de clases hoy y mañana. pic.twitter.com/bgIlcOYIXD
— Hora Cero Web (@horaceroweb) September 9, 2024
Bottom line: Hurricane Francine came ashore in southern Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon as a category 2 storm. The slightly weakened hurricane is now headed toward New Orleans.
Read more: 2024 Atlantic hurricane outlook and list of names
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