According to Jon Porter, chief meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather, Hurricane Francine poses a real and serious risk to New Orleans that should not be underestimated.

“AccuWeather hurricane experts are increasingly concerned about the potential for damaging wind gusts in the densely populated New Orleans metropolitan area,” Porter said in a news release.

“Should Francine pass closer to the city, the eye of the storm, the most intense part of the storm, could move near or over parts of the city, increasing the risk of 80-100 mph (130-160 km/h) wind gusts,” he added, noting that this could cause widespread and potentially long-lasting power outages.

People should, he advised, take enough food and water to last for several days.

“There are many more headlines in the news this week. We are concerned that this storm is not getting enough attention and that some people may be surprised by the strength and damaging effects of Francine,” Porter said.

Roxanne Riley, 42, stocks up on supplies at a Walmart as she prepares to take shelter in New Orleans as Tropical Storm Francine barrels toward the Louisiana coast yesterday.

As Francine slowly moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall today, the National Hurricane Center warns that the storm could strengthen further and approach Category 2 hurricane strength.

Category 1 storms have winds between 74 and 95 mph; Category 2s are 96 to 110 mph. Francine has sustained winds of 90 mph, the NHC said in a 2 a.m. update.

According to the NHC forecast, Francine is approaching Category 2 strength this morning.

“A significant increase in shear and the intrusion of dry air should end the potential for strengthening just before Francine reaches the coast,” the NHC said.

There is also good news for people in the cyclone’s path: the cyclone will quickly weaken as it moves inland.

Gulf Coast residents are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Francine. Most of Louisiana’s coastline is under a hurricane warning. NBC News meteorologist Violeta Yas has the latest forecast on Early Today.

Satellite images released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show Hurricane Francine in the Gulf of Mexico as it moves toward Louisiana last night.