Hurricane Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday as a Category 2 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surge, flooding, and winds reaching 100 mph.
Evacuations were ordered in several parishes as communities prepared for the impact.
The U.S. National Weather Service warned of damaging winds and torrential rain, affecting an area still recovering from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021. Experts attribute the recent increase in storm intensity to the climate crisis.
In Morgan City, near New Orleans, gas stations boarded up windows and moved items indoors. The city, which sits on the Atchafalaya River, has a population of about 11,500.
Larry Doiron, a Chevron station owner, assured locals he had enough fuel to keep pumps operational through the storm, emphasizing his commitment to the community.
Authorities urge safety measures as Louisiana braces for heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding.After landfall, the storm is expected to move into Mississippi on Thursday. The National Hurricane Center indicated that while the strongest winds and storm surge would hit south-central Louisiana, heavy rain and tornado threats would extend to southern Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
Rainfall totals of 4 to 12 inches are anticipated, raising the risk of flash flooding.
Both Louisiana and Mississippi governors declared states of emergency, and President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Louisiana to support local response efforts. FEMA urged residents to finalize preparations and heed local officials’ advice.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans urged residents to complete their preparations and shelter in place as conditions deteriorated.
Schools closed in anticipation of the hurricane, and mandatory evacuations were ordered in certain areas. Louisiana’s governor emphasized the need for residents to stay off the roads and remain at home as the storm approached.