(Houston) Storm Francine, now classified as a hurricane, is heading toward Louisiana where it could cause dangerous flooding as early as Wednesday, the U.S. weather service warned, while officials urged residents to prepare.
With winds of 120 km/h, what was initially a storm was reclassified Tuesday evening as a category 1 hurricane (out of 5) by the American hurricane center. The latter warns that Francinewhich is currently moving in the western Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen “through Wednesday morning.”
” Francine “is expected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday afternoon or evening” before moving inland toward the U.S. state of Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) also wrote in its 7 p.m. ET public bulletin Tuesday.
“Now is the time to complete final preparations” to protect yourself, the US weather service office in New Orleans advised on X. Francine “could begin to be felt in Louisiana as early as tonight or very early Wednesday morning,” he added.
The hurricane could bring up to 12 inches of rain in some places in the southern U.S. state, the NHC warned. It could also cause flash flooding in the hurricane-battered region around New Orleans. Katrina in 2005.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has asked for federal help.
Coastal flooding could reach up to three meters above ground level, NHC director Michael Brennan warned Tuesday.
The Texas and Mississippi coasts will also be affected, but to a lesser extent.
32 helicopters ready
The Louisiana National Guard is standing by: according to its X-count, 32 helicopters, 387 vehicles and 87 vessels are ready to provide assistance, including 1.1 million liters of water stored and ready to be distributed if needed.
Further along the hurricane’s path is Mississippi, where Governor Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that he had declared a state of emergency.
Many localities have received evacuation orders.
“You’ll want to be sheltered by tonight,” the NHC’s Michael Brennan warned Tuesday, advising residents to, for example, protect their windows.
According to forecasts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the hurricane season in the North Atlantic, which runs from early June to late November, is particularly turbulent this year, in part because of the warm oceans, which fuel storms and hurricanes.
This season has already been marked by three hurricanes, including Beryl And Debbywhich left several dozen dead.