Hurricane Francine is expected to make landfall in southern Louisiana tonight, bringing heavy rains and “life-threatening” hurricane-force winds to the Gulf Coast.

A storm surge warning has been issued for Louisiana and Mississippi. There is a risk of significant flash flooding and urban flooding in southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, southern Alabama and northern Florida, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

“Hurricane Francine (980mb/75 mph winds) continues to move northeastward in the Gulf of Mexico at 10 mph,” the NWS said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Strengthening is expected to continue into Wednesday, with landfall in southern Louisiana expected by Wednesday evening.”

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Last night, the NWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported waves exceeding 16 feet high and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour 60 miles from the eye of the storm.

According to NOAA and NWS forecasts, Francine is expected to make landfall in Louisiana around 2:00 p.m. EST. Evacuation orders are in effect for many locations along the northern Gulf Coast.

“It is critical to take this into account as conditions will rapidly deteriorate leading up to Francine. By the time you realize you should have left, it may be too late,” the NWS said on X.

The National Hurricane Center said yesterday that all plans and preparations to protect lives and property “must be completed urgently” as tropical storms are expected to begin in affected areas early Wednesday morning.

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Hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall (some areas expected to see up to 12 inches of rain) are expected to cause “devastating and catastrophic” damage to homes, trees and roads.

“Structural damage to solid buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures,” the National Weather Center said in a message on X. “Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

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Widespread power outages are also expected and roads may be blocked by fallen trees and other debris.

Hurricane Francine formed earlier this week off the coast of Mexico, starting as a tropical storm before strengthening to a hurricane Tuesday night. Francine is expected to regain storm status by 1 a.m. EST Thursday morning, before dissipating by Friday afternoon.

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