Hurricane Francine becomes dangerous Category 2 storm just ahead of Louisiana landfall

01:55

Hurricane Francine strengthens to category 2 hurricane

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center states that Hurricane Francine has strengthened into a category 2 hurricane late Wednesday afternoon. Sept. 11, 2024.

As of 5:00 P.M. CT, Hurricane Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana as a dangerous Category 2 hurricane, lashing the state with life-threatening impacts. Live updates on Hurricane Francine have moved here.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Hurricane Francine is now a dangerous Category 2 storm with peak winds estimated at 100 mph as it moves onshore in Louisiana on Wednesday evening with an expected landfall within hours. 

Dangerous conditions continue to worsen throughout the day as the storm brings life-threatening storm surge and destructive winds to the state's coastline.

Hurricane-force winds from Francine’s northern eyewall are moving onshore and spreading inland into the southern region of Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said life-threatening storm surge is spreading across coastal Louisiana, and conditions will continue to worsen throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

06:30

Bryan Norcross discusses storm surge potential with Hurricane Francine

Hurricane Francine's wind field has expanded, potentially increasing the number of areas of Louisiana that may experience storm surge. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross provides his analysis. Sept. 11, 2024. 

Multiple parishes in Louisiana have issued mandatory evacuation orders as the Category 2 hurricane is set to make landfall with widespread power outages, significant flooding and some property damage.

LOUISIANA RESIDENTS SCRAMBLE FOR SUPPLIES AHEAD OF HURRICANE FRANCINE

As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Francine is located about 40 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana, or about 100 miles southwest of New Orleans, and moving northeast at about 17 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph with higher gusts.

An oil platform southeast of the storm's center reported sustained winds of 92 mph around 2 p.m. CT and a peak gust of 112 mph at an elevation of 102 feet, according to the NHC. 

03:14

Louisiana braces for dangerous storm surge from Hurricane Francine

Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, discussed the dangers of storm surge and which areas of Louisiana are most vulnerable to storm surge from Hurricane Francine. Sept. 11, 2024. 

Conditions are currently deteriorating across Louisiana as Francine nears the coast. The FOX Forecast Center said the state could see as much as 12 inches of rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and a life-threatening storm surge up to 10 feet at the coast. On the east side of the storm, tornadoes may spin up across southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Once the storm makes landfall, it will move north, spreading flooding rains as far north as Memphis by week's end.

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Residents brace for Hurricane Francine's wrath

President Joe Biden has already approved an emergency declaration for the Bayou State as Francine sets to move onshore Wednesday. 

"After declaring a state of emergency, we have now determined that this storm is of such severity that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments," Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said. "This federal assistance is needed to save lives and property."

Forecast cone for Hurricane Francine.

(FOX Weather)

From evacuations to proactively clearing storm drains, many places have already taken precautions to safeguard life and property.

04:59

Power outages rise as wind, heavy rain from Hurricane Francine hammer Louisiana

As Hurricane Francine nears landfall, it brings heavy rain and powerful wind, threatening even more power outages for many residents. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports from Houma, Louisiana.

The U.S. Coast Guard closed Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Wednesday, a major hub for offshore energy services. Other nearby ports, including the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port and commercial ports in New Orleans, Cameron and Lake Charles, were also closed. At least two offshore oil platforms have paused operations because of the storm.

Louisiana will bear the brunt of this storm with as much as 10 inches of rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge of up to 10 feet at the coast.

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03:15

Officials in Louisiana prepare for Hurricane Francine

FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel talks with officials in St. Mary Parish in Louisiana about how residents are readying for Hurricane Francine. 

The last two days in Lafayette, Louisiana, have been marked by intense preparations. Sandbag stations have sprung up across the city, schools have been closed and shelters have opened. A state of emergency has been declared to mobilize resources ahead of the storm's landfall. Lafayette's mayor has also urged specific residents to evacuate if necessary.

Precious Jones captured video of a Walmart in Lafayette on Monday, where bottled water was nearly sold out as residents stocked up ahead of the storm.

"There were barely any (bottles) there, and what was there, people were rushing to grab before anyone else," Jones said.

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Supermarket runs low on bottled water as Louisianans stock up before Hurricane Francine's landfall

Precious Jones captured video of a Walmart in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Monday, where bottled water was nearly sold out as residents stocked up ahead of the storm.

Just south of Lake Charles, Cameron Parish issued mandatory evacuations Tuesday, leaving the area eerily quiet. 

In Morgan City, located closer to the coast, voluntary evacuations have been put in place. Businesses are boarding up, and residents are scrambling to stock up on gas and food before the storm hits. The towns of Morgan City and Berwick will be under a curfew from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday as Francine approaches. 

With landfall expected between Franklin and Morgan City, these areas are bracing for wind gusts of up to 90 mph.

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00:41

'Go away, Francine!' Morgan City, LA residents prepare for Category 1 hurricane

As Hurricane Francine bears down on Louisiana, residents of Morgan City are sending a clear message. Video taken from the town's seawall captures the defiant spirit of the community as they face the approaching storm.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is closely monitoring weather conditions and preparing for potential impacts. The airport will remain open unless conditions deteriorate to a point where it becomes unsafe to operate. As of Wednesday afternoon, airlines at MSY have canceled all flights.

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All New Orleans Public Schools dismissed students early on Tuesday and will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday.

In Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she has been in constant contact with the National Weather Service, along with local and state officials, as preparations are made for Francine's landfall.

"This storm is expected to bring threats of heavy rain, gusty to damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes," she said. "I want to encourage everyone to make preparations now."

04:41

Houma prepares to take hit from Hurricane Francine as storm inches closer to landfall

FOX Weather's Robert Ray is in Houma, Louisiana, as the town prepares for major impacts from Hurricane Francine.

Hurricane Francine comes at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters are also tracking several other areas for potential development this week.

Entergy mobilizes thousands for Francine response

Entergy, an energy company that provides electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas has warned customers to be ready for potential power outages, particularly in southern and southeastern Louisiana, where the greatest impacts from the storm are expected.

Power outage forecast for Francine.

(FOX Weather)

The utility provider has staged equipment and assembled a massive storm team to respond to Francine following landfall. More than 5,000 personnel, including lineworkers, tree trimmers, and support staff, are on the ground or en route. Additional resources are expected to arrive soon.

"As we do with any storm that threatens our service territory, we’re taking (Hurricane) Francine very seriously and have activated our methodical storm response process," said Steven Benyard, vice president of reliability for Entergy in Louisiana. "Our goal is to ensure we have the right resources in place to restore power efficiently and, above all, safely.

Where are watches and warnings in effect because of Hurricane Francine?

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The 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 Louisiana to Alabama.

Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area on Wednesday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama through Wednesday night.

After making landfall, the storm's center is expected to track north across Mississippi on Thursday.