Fri, 20 September 2024 03:22:09am
Related Tags: Tropical Storm Francine, Francine storm Houston, Louisiana hurricane warnings, Gulf Coast storm, Houston storm preparation
Tropical Storm Francine continues to gain strength - Louisiana gears up for a direct hit
Tropical Storm Francine continues to gain strength - Louisiana gears up for a direct hit
Brace yourself as Tropical Storm Francine continues to gain strength, but there's a twist—while Louisiana gears up for a direct hit, Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast are breathing a sigh of relief. What was once predicted to slam Texas has now shifted course, sparing Houston from the storm’s fury. But don’t relax just yet, as winds and rain could still make an appearance.
So, what’s the full story? Let’s dive into Francine’s latest path and its looming impact.
Tropical Storm Francine, which once seemed poised to bring chaos to the Texas Gulf Coast, is now set to strike Louisiana, according to the latest updates from the National Weather Service. As the storm intensifies, Francine is expected to transform into a hurricane, with landfall likely to occur in south-central Louisiana by Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency warnings have already been issued across Louisiana’s coastal areas, and evacuation orders are in effect for low-lying regions vulnerable to the storm surge. The growing strength of the system has prompted heightened alerts, with local officials urging residents to prepare for potential flooding and power outages.
In a turn of good fortune for Texans, Francine’s path has shifted further east, sparing Houston and most of the Texas coastline from the worst impacts. Meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather confirmed that Francine’s projected course will keep it well offshore from Texas. He explained, "While Houston will experience some elevated winds and the potential for rain showers on Tuesday night and Wednesday, it won’t be anywhere near the scale of Hurricane Beryl."
Houston, however, is not taking any chances. Despite the storm’s shift, local emergency agencies, utility companies, and city officials are still on high alert. CenterPoint Energy has mobilized over 1,850 local workers, with an additional 5,000 mutual aid workers on standby, ready to tackle any potential power outages. This level of preparation comes in response to lingering outages caused by Hurricane Beryl earlier this year, which left parts of Houston without power for weeks.
Meanwhile, Galveston is also making preparations. Although the island city is expected to dodge the storm’s strongest winds, city officials are not letting their guard down. With possible power interruptions on the horizon, residents dependent on medical devices are being urged to have contingency plans in place.
The Harris County Constable’s office has also deployed high-water rescue equipment in anticipation of potential flooding, particularly in vulnerable areas across the county. In a coordinated effort, local authorities are working closely with statewide emergency partners to ensure a swift response should the storm’s trajectory change unexpectedly.
While Texas may not bear the brunt of Francine’s force, the situation remains fluid. Houston and the surrounding Gulf Coast should remain vigilant, with weather conditions potentially shifting at a moment’s notice.
The real concern now lies with Louisiana, where Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and a significant storm surge as it strengthens into a hurricane. Residents along Louisiana’s coast are urged to follow evacuation orders and prepare for the possibility of life-threatening conditions.
As Francine barrels toward its final destination, Texans can breathe a little easier—but for those in Louisiana, the storm’s impact is just beginning.
Key Points:
- Tropical Storm Francine is now expected to make landfall in south-central Louisiana as a hurricane by Wednesday.
- Texas, including Houston and Galveston, will experience minimal impact with elevated winds and rain showers.
- Louisiana has issued emergency warnings and evacuation orders for low-lying coastal areas.
- CenterPoint Energy has mobilized thousands of workers to respond to potential power outages in Texas.
- Houston and Galveston are taking precautions, despite not being in Francine's direct path.
