Hurricane Francine has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday.
The storm is expected to bring extensive flooding, dangerous storm surge and destructive winds to the US Gulf Coast.
Several Louisiana parishes issued mandatory evacuation orders, and state and local leaders urged residents to prepare for the storm's ferocity.
Hurricane Francine preparations underway in Texas, Louisiana
A storm intensified offshore Tuesday, bringing heavy rain to South Texas.
Eventually, that rain will move north into areas like Galveston, Houston and Beaumont, where an inch or two of rain could cause flash flooding.
As Francine approached the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Shell suspended drilling operations at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, which are directly in the storm's path, as a precautionary measure.
Louisiana will be the state most affected by this storm.
The state could experience up to 10 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surges of up to 10 feet along the coast.
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Foreman Anthony Bertie declared a state of emergency on Monday before Francine arrived in Louisiana.
The declaration activates emergency response plans and protocols throughout the parish, including the towns of DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake.
Jared Mays, Calcasieu's director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, urged residents to be prepared, especially those living in low-lying areas or mobile homes.
He urged residents to prepare to evacuate if necessary. Sandbag sites have also been set up across the state.
Evacuation orders were issued for southern Cameron Parish, including all areas south of the Kelso Bayou Bridge.
Parish officials are also urging people who do not live in those areas but are at risk of flooding to consider evacuating.
All New Orleans public schools will dismiss students early on Tuesday as a precaution in preparation for Hurricane Francine.
Schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday as the impact of the storm is assessed.
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome said the city is in constant contact with the National Weather Service and local and state officials in preparation for Francine's landfall.
“This storm is expected to bring heavy rain, gusts, damaging winds and possibly some tornadoes,” she said.
“I want you all to get ready now.”
Hurricane Francine, a tropical storm, occurred during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Forecasters also see potential development in two other areas this week.
What's the latest on Hurricane Francine?
According to the NHC's latest advisory, Francine is located about 135 miles east of the mouth of the Rio Grande River, or about 360 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.
Where are watches and warnings in effect for Hurricane Francine?
A hurricane threat is looming along the US Gulf Coast, with warnings in place from Texas to Alabama.
The NHC issued a hurricane warning for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to Grand Isle, including Baton Rouge.
Tropical storm and storm surge warnings currently extend from the eastern tip of Texas into Mississippi.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans metropolitan area.
Where will Hurricane Francine go?
Hurricane Francine is expected to remain offshore in the northern Gulf of Mexico through Tuesday before approaching the coastlines of Louisiana and North Texas on Wednesday, according to the NHC.
Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen before making landfall on Wednesday.
The Gulf Coast of Texas will experience heavy rainfall and storm surge as the storm intensifies and moves along the coast.
Areas including Galveston, Houston and Beaumont are expected to get several inches of rain, which could cause flash flooding.
Louisiana is expected to experience 5 to 8 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge.
