Tropical Storm Francine is intensifying in the warm waters of the western Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall as a hurricane later this week, bringing with it the potential for flooding rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous storm surge along the western Gulf Coast.
After forming late Monday morning a few hundred miles away from the Mexico-Texas border with winds of 50 mph, Francine is forecasted to become a hurricane as early as Tuesday night. A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of the Louisiana coast, with tropical storm watches in place for portions of Mexico's northeastern coast, southern and northeastern coastal Texas, and eastern Louisiana.
Storm surge concerns are high, with levels potentially reaching up to 10 feet above normal along the central Louisiana coast. Heavy rainfall is also expected, with 4 to 8 inches forecasted for areas from northeast Mexico to southern Louisiana, and up to a foot in some regions.
The National Hurricane Center warns of a considerable risk of flash flooding, particularly in Louisiana and southern Mississippi. A level 3 out of 4 risk of flooding rainfall is in place for much of Louisiana on Wednesday.
While Francine poses a significant threat, it is not the only system being monitored. Two other areas in the open Atlantic have a medium chance of developing into tropical systems in the next seven days.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay informed about the storm's progress and follow any evacuation orders or safety precautions issued by local authorities. As the hurricane season picks up momentum, it is crucial to be prepared and vigilant in the face of potential severe weather events.
