USA : Hurricane Francine Hits Louisiana, Causing Widespread Power Outages and Flooding
Francine weakened on Thursday after making landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm caused widespread power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. It also brought significant storm surge into coastal communities and raised flood concerns in New Orleans and surrounding areas. As Francine moved northward, drenching rains spread across the northern Gulf Coast, adding to the region’s flood fears.
The National Hurricane Center forecasted that Francine would be downgraded to a tropical depression as it continued its path over Mississippi. The storm was expected to bring between 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) of rain to parts of Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. In some areas of Alabama and Florida, rainfall could reach up to 10 inches (25 centimeters). Forecasters warned of potential flash flooding in cities including Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; and Atlanta.
Francine struck the Louisiana coast on Wednesday evening with winds reaching 100 mph (155 kph) in coastal Terrebonne Parish. The area, already recovering from severe hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, was hit hard. The storm then quickly moved towards New Orleans, where it unleashed heavy rains. While there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, television footage showed intense waves battering sea walls and streets flooding from the torrential downpours. Trees and utility poles swayed under the strong winds.
Power outages were extensive, with over 390,000 reported in Louisiana and an additional 46,000 in Mississippi early Thursday. Laura Leftwich, sheltering at her mother’s home near Morgan City, described the scene with wind strong enough to blow away large birdhouses. She used a generator to stay connected with friends, showing them the floodwaters encroaching on her street. The severity of the storm left her feeling uneasy about venturing outside.
As the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Francine had intensified to a Category 2 storm by drawing energy from the warm Gulf of Mexico waters but weakened to a tropical storm by late Wednesday. In addition to heavy rains, the storm posed a lingering threat of tornadoes in Florida and Alabama. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that the National Guard would be deployed to affected areas with essential supplies and vehicles. President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration to expedite federal aid, while both Landry and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared states of emergency. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency distributed over 100,000 sandbags, and several school districts reported closures due to the storm.
