Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before hitting the Louisiana coast on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds of 90mph. Residents are being warned of life-threatening storm surge, potential tornadoes, and dangerous winds. Some schools and colleges in the state have closed, and Governor Jeff Landry urged residents to be prepared. Oil and gas producers on the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated staff and paused drilling in anticipation of the storm.
This comes as the sixth named storm of 2024, amid a relatively quiet hurricane season. Warmer than usual sea temperatures are fueling the storm’s strength, with ocean heat content in the Gulf at record levels. Experts are monitoring two other weather systems in the mid-Atlantic that could develop into larger storms. Louisiana, still recovering from previous hurricanes, is bracing for the impact of Francine, as memories of past disasters like Hurricane Katrina resurface. The state is encouraging residents to evacuate low-lying areas and take necessary precautions for the approaching hurricane.
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