Hurricane Francine expected to hit Louisiana as Category 2 storm

Hurricane Francine is expected to bring torrential rain, heavy winds and potentially life-threatening storm surges to the central Gulf Coast when it makes landfall in Louisiana later on Wednesday, meteorologists said.

Francine, the year’s sixth named storm, was upgraded from a tropical storm on Tuesday after strengthening over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Francine could become a Category 2 storm with winds between 96 and 110 mph, once it hits Louisiana sometime in the late afternoon or early evening.

Category 2 hurricane winds are defined as “extremely dangerous” winds that could cause “extensive damage.”

After the storm strikes south-central Louisiana, life-threatening weather conditions are expected to impact parts of the state, including the cites of Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, meteorologists said.

While the strongest winds will likely hit the state’s south-central area, residents in a much larger area along the central and eastern Gulf Coast — including southern Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle — should be prepared for dangerous weather conditions.

Overall, Francine should produce 4 to 8 inches of rain between now and Thursday night, though some areas could see up to 12 inches.

“This rainfall could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding,” according to the NWS. While Francine is expected to weaken by the end of the week, additional heavy rain could still lead to “scattered instances of flash flooding.”

Residents in coastal Louisiana and Mississippi are being warned to “follow advice given by local officials,” including evacuation orders, as elevated waters could reach up to 10 feet about ground level, the National Hurricane Center’s Storm Surge Unit said in its 10 a.m. update.

On Monday, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to allow parishes statewide to have the resources to help protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana.”

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves followed suit on Tuesday, saying the order would allow officials to “mobilize state assets and respond as necessary.”