Hurricane Francine has left hundreds of thousands without power and caused widespread flooding after hitting the Louisiana coast and moving inland. The storm made landfall in Morgan City as a Category 2 hurricane at 5:00 PM local time (11:00 PM GMT) on Wednesday, with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). A flash flood emergency was declared for New Orleans after 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) of rain fell.
Hurricane Francine Makes Landfall
Although Francine has been downgraded to a tropical storm, it still packed winds of up to 70 mph as it passed northwest of New Orleans, the NHC reported late Wednesday. Both Louisiana and neighboring Mississippi declared states of emergency, urging residents to shelter in place and prepare for the storm.
Governor Jeff Landry urged residents to “stay off the roads, stay home, and stay put” during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Forecasters expect Francine to quickly lose strength as it moves across the state. The storm is forecasted to bring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain, potential tornadoes, and damaging winds to much of central and eastern Louisiana. As of Wednesday night, more than 330,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana were without power, according to Power Outage.us.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival, urging residents to take precautions and follow evacuation orders. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our residents,” Governor Edwards said in a statement. “We are mobilizing all available resources to respond effectively to the challenges posed by Hurricane Francine.”
As Francine made landfall, local authorities reported widespread power outages, flooding, and infrastructure damage. High winds and heavy rain brought down trees, damaged buildings, and flooded streets. Emergency services have been working tirelessly to address these issues and assist those affected.
The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for the region, including flash flood watches and hurricane warnings. Meteorologists are advising residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. The heavy rainfall could lead to significant flooding, particularly in low-lying and coastal areas.
In preparation for the storm, many residents followed evacuation orders and took refuge in designated shelters. These shelters are stocked with supplies and staffed by volunteers and emergency responders to assist those displaced by the storm. Local authorities are also coordinating rescue operations for residents unable to evacuate.
Hurricane Francine’s landfall serves as a reminder of the Gulf Coast’s vulnerability to severe weather events. The region has faced a string of challenging storms over the past few years, and the impact of Francine highlights the ongoing need for preparedness and resilience.
As the storm moves further inland, attention will turn to assessing the damage and beginning recovery efforts. The full extent of the impact will become clearer with daylight and ongoing assessments. In the meantime, residents are urged to stay updated through official channels and follow local authorities’ guidance.
The response to Hurricane Francine demonstrates the strength and unity of the affected communities. As they face the challenges brought by the storm, they also show their resilience and determination to rebuild and recover. The coming days will be critical as recovery efforts intensify and support is provided to those in need.
For now, the immediate effects of the storm are being closely monitored, and the priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone in its path.
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