Category 2 Hurricane Makes Landfall, Weakens to Category 1
Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, as a Category 2 storm around 6 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. The storm, which had rapidly intensified throughout the day, brought maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, unleashing its fury on the Gulf Coast. By 9 p.m. EDT, however, Francine had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, with wind speeds decreasing to 75 mph. Despite the slight weakening, the National Weather Service (NWS) continued to describe the storm as “life-threatening” due to the potential for severe flooding, hurricane-force winds, and the possibility of tornadoes.
The eye of the storm was located about 50 miles west-southwest of New Orleans by the latest update and was moving northeast at a speed of 17 mph. As the storm moved inland, heavy rainfall and strong winds began to pound the New Orleans metropolitan area, with officials warning residents that conditions would worsen in the coming hours. The NWS New Orleans branch cautioned that rising tides were a growing concern and advised locals to stay indoors until the storm had passed.
In an urgent message shared on social media around 8:20 p.m. EDT, NWS New Orleans reiterated that “no one is out of the woods yet,” emphasizing the continuing danger. The area remained under a hurricane warning, with watches in place for Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, covering the entire New Orleans metropolitan region.
Hurricane Francine nears Louisiana, could become Category 2 storm
Significant Flooding and Power Outages Reported Across Louisiana
As Hurricane Francine swept through southern Louisiana, reports of significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure began to emerge. Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in several areas, while strong winds damaged buildings and downed power lines, leaving many residents without electricity. In total, 175,225 power outages were reported across the state, with the worst-affected areas being Lafourche, Terrebonne, Jefferson, Orleans, and Ascension Parishes.
Jefferson Parish officials issued an advisory urging residents to limit non-essential water use, warning that excessive water in the system could lead to sewer backups. The parish’s sewer lines had already been compromised by stormwater, raising concerns of potential public health risks if the situation worsened. The combination of water infiltration and power outages further complicated recovery efforts in the storm’s aftermath.
In New Orleans, communication issues compounded the challenges for emergency services. Local officials issued a statement warning residents that AT&T and T-Mobile customers were experiencing difficulties connecting to 9-1-1 emergency services. In response, they provided an alternative number for residents to call in case of an emergency: 504-671-3600. This temporary communication disruption added an extra layer of difficulty for those trying to seek help amid the dangerous conditions brought on by Hurricane Francine.
Authorities Urge Caution as Storm Continues to Move Inland
As Hurricane Francine moved further northeast, authorities continued to monitor its progress closely. While the storm had lost some of its strength, it remained a serious threat due to the potential for ongoing flooding, strong winds, and tornadoes along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coastlines. The National Hurricane Center warned that conditions would remain dangerous for several hours, urging residents to follow local advisories and stay indoors until the storm fully passed.
With widespread power outages, flooding, and infrastructure damage, recovery efforts in the affected regions are expected to take time. Local officials and emergency responders are working around the clock to address the damage, restore services, and assist those in need as the storm continues its path through the southern United States. As the situation develops, authorities remain focused on keeping residents safe while bracing for the storm’s full impact.
