According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hurricane Francine is moving across the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm and is expected to move northeast toward the Louisiana coast today.

The storm is expected to make landfall just west of Morgan City as a Category 2 storm, with impacts expected to hit the Louisiana coast beginning Wednesday morning.

Francine is expected to produce storm surge along the coast, with damaging winds and possible flooding in southern Louisiana. The storm is expected to weaken rapidly once it moves inland.

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency, which was signed by President Joe Biden Tuesday night, and several parishes have issued evacuation orders and curfews in advance of the storm.

Join us on Wednesday for live updates as Francine reaches the Louisiana coast.

Francine strengthens herself tonight

According to a report from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hurricane Francine reached maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (145 km/h) and was moving northeast at about 10 mph (16 km/h).

The storm is expected to continue to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching wind gusts of up to 100 mph (160 kph) over the next 12 hours. The storm will then encounter wind shear, potentially weakening it further before making landfall near Morgan City.

Once Francine makes landfall, the storm is expected to rapidly weaken.

Storm surge from Intracoastal City to Port Fourchon and Vermilion Bay is expected to reach 5-10 feet. From Port Fourchon to the mouth of the Mississippi River, storm surge is expected to reach 4-7 feet.

A few tornadoes are possible in parts of southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.

Threats and Consequences of 5am photo.twitter.com/3pvjx5HEE1

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) September 11, 2024

— 05.00 am

Francine strengthens herself tonight

Francine strengthened just before 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, reaching wind speeds of 75 mph (120 km/h) by 10 p.m.

At 1:00 AM, the maximum wind speed increased to 145 km/h.

Once the storm makes landfall, it will move quickly across Louisiana as it weakens over land.

— 01.00 am

Jim Cantore reports from Morgan City

The Weather Channel hurricane expert was near the Louisiana coast Tuesday night, giving live updates on the storm’s progress and path. He also stopped at a local bakery and tried a “shrimp boil” cupcake with his face on it.

— 00.00 hours

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