Hurricane Francine Makes Landfall in Southern Louisiana

Monster storm brings life-threatening flooding, devastating winds to coastal communities

At 5 a.m. CDT, Hurricane Francine made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana, bringing with it catastrophic winds of 150 mph and torrential rain. The storm has already caused widespread damage and flooding in coastal communities, and is expected to continue to wreak havoc as it moves inland.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a life-threatening storm surge warning for the entire Louisiana coast, with some areas expected to see up to 20 feet of water. In addition, the NHC has issued a hurricane warning for a large swath of the state, including the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

Hurricane Francine is the first major hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Katrina was a Category 5 storm that caused catastrophic damage and flooding in New Orleans and other coastal communities. Francine is not as strong as Katrina, but it is still a powerful and dangerous storm.

Residents in the path of Hurricane Francine are urged to take precautions and follow the instructions of local officials. If you are in an evacuation zone, please evacuate immediately. If you are not in an evacuation zone, but are in a low-lying area, please move to higher ground.

Here are some additional tips for staying safe during Hurricane Francine:

• Stay informed about the storm's track and intensity by listening to the radio or watching television.
• Secure your home by boarding up windows and doors, and bringing in outdoor furniture.
• Stock up on food, water, and other essential supplies.
• Have a plan for where you will go if you need to evacuate.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local emergency management office.