A tropical storm that has developed over the Gulf of Mexico is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on Wednesday in Louisiana, where Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency.

Meteorologists say it will bring four to eight inches of heavy rainfall, with possible tornadoes and damaging winds across much of central and eastern Louisiana.

Residents along the coastal areas of both Texas and Louisiana are being warned of life-threatening storm surges and are urged to complete their hurricane preparations by Tuesday evening.

Storm surge means that there is a risk of water rising from the coastline and flowing inland. In some places, the water can rise up to 10 feet (3 m).

The hurricane is also expected to cause “significant” flooding and urban flooding in parts of Louisiana, which recently marked the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the NHC warned.

Francine’s development follows a quiet August and early September during the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically lasts until November. Experts earlier this summer had predicted a busier season this year.

On Tuesday morning, Tropical Storm Francine was located about 330 miles (540 kilometers) southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, a city overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The maximum wind speed is currently 100 km/h, but the wind speed is expected to increase in the future.

Some schools and colleges in the state will be closed from Tuesday through Wednesday due to the hurricane.

U.S. oil and gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico, including Exxon Mobil and Shell, had evacuated workers and in some cases halted drilling in preparation for the storm.

Governor Landry said his emergency declaration “will provide parishes across the state with the resources to help protect the lives, safety and welfare of Louisiana citizens.”

Francine is the sixth storm to be named in 2024.