Tropical Storm Francine Strengthens Offshore, Gulf Coast Prepares for Hurricane Impact

Tropical Storm Francine is currently offshore and gaining strength, with a projected landfall as a hurricane along the Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Communities in Texas and Louisiana are preparing for its impact, expecting strong winds and heavy rainfall in the region.

Evacuation and Emergency Declarations

The government of Louisiana's Iberia Parish, located near Lafayette, urged residents to consider voluntary evacuation on Monday night. Meanwhile, the governor of Mississippi declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, acknowledging the potential threat posed by the impending hurricane.

Current Status and Projections

Tropical Storm Francine has maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and is projected to track northward before turning to the northeast and picking up speed. The National Weather Service reports that tropical-storm-force winds extend outward from the storm's center by 140 miles.

Warnings and Preparations

A hurricane warning is in effect from the Louisiana coastline east of Cameron to Grand Isle. A tropical storm warning was issued for the Texas and Louisiana coasts east of High Island to Cameron, east of Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Alabama and Florida border, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, and metropolitan New Orleans. In preparation for the storm, workers with the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority closed floodgates along the city’s Harvey Canal on Tuesday morning.

Projected Rainfall and Flooding

Francine is expected to bring significant rainfall, with forecasts predicting four to eight inches across the affected areas. However, parts of Louisiana and Mississippi could experience local amounts of 12 inches through Friday morning. The National Hurricane Center warned that heavy rain could lead to flash and urban flooding.

Storm Surges and Coastal Concerns

The combination of storm surge and tide poses a threat of flooding to normally dry areas near the coast, with waters potentially reaching 5-10 feet from Louisiana’s Cameron to Port Fourchon and Vermilion Bay. The area from Port Fourchon to the mouth of the Mississippi River may experience floodwaters as high as seven feet. The deepest water is expected to occur along the immediate coast and to the east of where the storm makes landfall, accompanied by large and dangerous waves. The agency also warned of life-threatening surf and rip current conditions due to swells. While there may be some overtopping of local levees, the surge is not expected to threaten risk reduction system levees.

Tornado Potential and Extreme Weather Impact

The agency also warned of the possibility of tornadoes from Wednesday morning through the evening over near-coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Furthermore, the hurricane’s impact, while posing dangerous conditions, may provide some relief from the extreme heat that has affected much of the southern U.S. in the past week, alleviating stress on crops.

Recent Developments in the Hurricane Season

The Atlantic's hurricane season has been relatively quiet after a period of low activity at the end of August and into September. Francine is the sixth named storm of the year. The season is still projected to be above average, with a forecast predicting as many as 24 named storms at the beginning of last month.

Historical Context and Future Predictions

This year's hurricane season got off to an explosive start with Hurricane Beryl, the first major storm of the season, forming in late June. In July, it became the earliest Category 5 hurricane observed in the Atlantic and the strongest July Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. As global climate warming continues, NASA scientists predict that hurricanes will cause more intense impacts, including increased rainfall totals and higher storm surges.

The Climate100 List, which aims to showcase meaningful climate action, will be revealed in September. An event will be hosted in New York, which can be attended online, offering an opportunity for individuals and organizations to engage in discussions and initiatives related to climate action.