Storm Francine, which is heading toward Louisiana where it could cause dangerous flooding as early as Wednesday, is now considered a Category 1 hurricane (out of 5), the U.S. Hurricane Center announced Tuesday evening.
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“Francine is expected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday afternoon or evening” before moving inland toward the U.S. state of Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) wrote in its latest public bulletin.
It could bring up to 30 cm of rain in some places in this southern US state, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned.
This could lead to flash flooding, including in the hurricane-battered New Orleans area. Katrina In 2005, residents of the city were stocking up on water and fuel on Tuesday, according to local television footage.
Coastal flooding could reach up to three meters above ground level, NHC director Michael Brennan warned Tuesday.
The Texas and Mississippi coasts will also be affected, but to a lesser extent.
“Francine “It’s going to move pretty quickly,” Brennan said, adding that heavy rain was already affecting parts of Louisiana Tuesday.
The state has asked President Joe Biden to approve a state of emergency declaration, according to its governor, Jeff Landry.
Many localities have received evacuation orders.
“You’ll probably want to be safe by tonight,” Brennan said, advising residents to, for example, cover their windows.
The North Atlantic hurricane season runs from early June to late November.
This season has already been marked by three hurricanes, including Beryl And Debbywhich left several dozen dead.
