Tropical Storm Francine is moving off the coast of Texas in the southern United States on Tuesday and is threatening to become a hurricane as it heads toward Louisiana, where several localities are carrying out precautionary evacuations.
“Francine is now moving northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to become a hurricane this afternoon or tonight (Tuesday),” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report at 18:00 GMT. The storm is moving at a slow pace, for now with winds of 100 km/h.
According to local meteorologists, it should cause rain in some coastal areas of Texas along its path, later becoming a category 1 hurricane -on a scale of 5- with winds of about 119 km/h but always over the sea. It should then hit the coasts of Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
The NHC has issued hurricane warnings for the Louisiana coast and storm surge warnings for some nearby locations in Texas and parts of Mississippi and Alabama.
Coastal jurisdictions known as parishes in southeastern Louisiana have initiated precautionary mandatory evacuations and activated shelters. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also announced at a news conference Tuesday that backup shelters would be set up in nearby cities.
Meanwhile, the mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrellwhose city is near the path, urged “all residents and all of our visitors to take precautions and prepare for heavy rain, gusty winds and isolated tornado activity.”
Part of the area that will be affected by Francine was impacted by the devastating hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Ida (2021). Francine is the sixth phenomenon of the 2024 Atlantic season, which runs from June to November.
Previously, in August, Hurricane Ernesto caused rain and power outages in Puerto Rico. Debby, Chris, Beryl and Alberto circulated beforehand.
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year’s Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be hectic as rising ocean temperatures increase the intensity of hurricanes. Twenty-five storms are expected, of which 13 are expected to be hurricanes.
LDAV
Related
2024-09-14 11:02:30