Hurricane Francine, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, is rapidly intensifying and poised to slam into Louisiana as a hurricane by Wednesday. The threat is serious, with life-threatening hurricane-force winds anticipated. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Warning for southern Louisiana, urging residents to take immediate action to protect themselves and their property. Coastal Texas and Louisiana, along with parts of Mexico, are under a Tropical Storm Watch. A Storm Surge Watch is also in place from High Island, Texas, to the Mississippi-Alabama border, including Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Pontchartrain.
As Tropical Storm Francine gains strength, evacuations along the Gulf Coast have been ordered. The storm, which formed just a few hundred miles from the Mexico-Texas border, is strengthening in the unusually warm western Gulf of Mexico. By Monday night, the storm’s maximum sustained winds had already increased from 50 mph to 65 mph, nearing hurricane strength.
By around 10 p.m. Central Time on Monday, the storm’s center was approximately 125 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, near Brownsville, Texas. While moving at a relatively slow pace of 5 mph, Francine is expected to accelerate on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center predicts significant strengthening within the next 36 hours. Francine could become a hurricane by Monday night and potentially reach Category 2 status before making landfall on Wednesday. Tropical storm and hurricane watches have been issued for the region, along with a storm surge warning stretching from High Island, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The anticipated impacts of Tropical Storm Francine are significant, including flooding rainfall, strong winds, and a dangerous storm surge. Louisiana officials are already preparing for the potential effects of severe flooding and storm surge. This storm’s formation comes after an unusually quiet period in the Atlantic, with no named storms since Ernesto in mid-August. This period of inactivity was particularly notable during a time that is typically busy for hurricane activity. Despite Francine’s approach, it is still too early to predict precisely where it might make landfall in Louisiana or its potential strength at that time. The warm waters in the Gulf, a result of global warming from fossil fuel emissions, are expected to act as fuel for the storm, possibly causing it to strengthen more than currently forecasted.
Parts of northeast Mexico and southern Texas are expected to experience tropical storm-force winds by Tuesday. In advance of the storm, there could be minor coastal flooding due to storm surge and rough surf along the Mexico coast. Heavy rainfall is anticipated to begin affecting coastal areas of northwest Mexico by Monday, with southern Texas also experiencing rain before the storm reaches more of the western Gulf Coast on Tuesday. The most intense rain in Texas is predicted to occur early in the week, with Louisiana potentially facing the heaviest conditions late Tuesday night. The storm’s worst rain and wind are likely to begin by Wednesday morning, with increasing storm surge concerns for the U.S. as Francine nears landfall. The risk of flash flooding from tropical rainfall is considered “considerable” by the National Hurricane Center, with a level 3 of 4 risk for flooding rainfall in place for much of Louisiana and parts of southern Mississippi on Wednesday.
The travel industry is likely to face significant disruptions due to Tropical Storm Francine. Evacuations and storm warnings will impact travel plans, with travelers potentially facing cancellations or delays. The storm’s trajectory through key coastal regions in the U.S. and Mexico might lead to a heightened state of alert for travelers in these areas, with potential disruptions extending to air travel, road conditions, and accommodations. Travelers worldwide should stay informed and prepare for potential plan changes. This storm’s global impact may disrupt travel patterns and safety protocols, so stay informed and prepare.
