Francine shifts aim to central Louisiana

Published 10:54 am Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Tropical Storm Francine has shifted yet again and is now aimed at central Louisiana — particularly the Morgan City area.

National Weather Service Lake Charles Storm Warning Meteorologist Doug Cramer said Francine is showing sustained winds of 65 mph and is now expected to be a Category 1 hurricane prior to making landfall.

“Radar is showing a lack of an eyewall and we think it’s been taking in so much dry air that it’s caused a lot of disruptions within it,” Cramer said. “But it still has a lot of circulation.”

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He said it is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane over the next 12 hours.

“There’s a lot of heat to be ingested in this storm and the environment is good for intensification,” Cramer said. ”

Francine is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon.

The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for Beauregard Parish and Southeast Texas.

A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Cameron, which is not under a mandatory evacuation order.