Hurricane Francine has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday.
The storm is expected to bring heavy flooding, dangerous storm surges and destructive winds to the US Gulf Coast.
Several Louisiana parishes have issued mandatory evacuation orders, as state and local leaders urged people to prepare for the storm's fury.
Texas, Louisiana prepare for Hurricane Francine
Heavy rain is falling across South Texas on Tuesday as the storm intensifies.
Eventually, this rain will reach northward to places like Galveston, Houston and Beaumont, where an inch or two of rain could cause flash flooding.
As Hurricane Francine approaches the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, Shell has taken precautionary measures by halting drilling operations at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico – both located in the storm's path.
Louisiana will bear the brunt of this storm.
The state may receive up to 10 inches of rain, stormy winds may blow and storm waves up to 10 feet high may rise on the coast, which could be fatal.
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Anthony Bartee issued an emergency declaration Monday before Francine reached Louisiana.
The declaration activated emergency response plans and protocols throughout the parish, including the cities of DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake.
Jared Maze, Calcasieu’s homeland security and emergency preparedness director, urged residents to be prepared, especially those living in low-lying areas or mobile homes.
He encouraged them to be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Sandbagging stations have also been set up throughout the state.
Evacuation orders were issued for southern portions of Cameron Parish, including all areas south of the Kelso Bayou Bridge.
Parish officials are also urging people who don’t live in these communities but live in flood-prone areas to evacuate.
All New Orleans public schools will dismiss students early on Tuesday as a precautionary measure ahead of expected Hurricane Francine.
Schools will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the impact of the storm.
In Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she is in constant contact with local and state officials, as well as the National Weather Service, as preparations are made for Francine's arrival.
“This storm is likely to produce heavy rainfall, strong winds and possibly a few tornadoes,” he said.
“I want to encourage everyone to start preparing now.”
Hurricane Francine, which was a tropical storm, came at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Forecasters are also watching two other areas for potential developments this week.
What is the latest information about Hurricane Francine?
According to the latest advisory from the NHC, Francine is located about 135 miles east of the mouth of the Rio Grande, or about 360 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.
Where are watches and warnings in effect due to Hurricane Francine?
There is a threat of a hurricane on the US Gulf Coast, and an alert has been issued from Texas to Alabama.
The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to Grand Isle, including Baton Rouge.
Tropical storm and storm surge warnings now extend from far eastern Texas to Mississippi.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchatrain and metropolitan New Orleans.
Where is Hurricane Francine heading?
According to the NHC, Hurricane Francine is expected to remain near the northern Gulf Coast of Mexico through Tuesday, and then move into Louisiana and the upper Texas coast on Wednesday.
Hurricane Francine is forecast to intensify until it makes landfall on Wednesday.
Heavy rain and storm surge will occur along the Texas Gulf Coast as the storm intensifies and moves ashore.
Places like Galveston, Houston and Beaumont are expected to receive several inches of rain, which could lead to flash flooding.
Louisiana could see 5-8 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surges.
