Francine has made landfall in southern Louisiana in the Parish of Terrebonne, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, as a Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 100 mph. A NOS station located on Eugene Island recently reported a peak gust of 105 mph.

Waves of heavy rain and wind will continue through all of south Louisiana. Life threatening storm surge and hurricane force winds will move into coastal Louisiana throughout the day, with the strongest tropical conditions reaching the coast by landfall. Expect strong winds and heavy rains through the afternoon and evening hours. 

Scroll farther down the page for the post-Francine forecast.

The Latest On Francine: Francine continues to strengthen with the 4pm advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The storm remains a category two hurricane with peak sustained winds at 100 mph as it moves northeast at 17mph. The latest track forecast from the National Hurricane Center still shows a center oath between Baton Rouge and Lake Maurepas. The greatest impacts will occur near and east of center. To be clear, locations immediately west of center will still experience hurricane or tropical storm conditions, but those impacts will be farther reaching on the eastern side. 

Francine will quickly weaken upon landfall while jogging northeast across southeast Louisiana. Francine will pull away from the region on Thursday morning with rain ending and winds slowly easing.

Pay close attention to the forecast and enact your hurricane safety plan. Minor track and strength adjustments may still come as new data arrives. Keep up to date with the latest forecast. The Storm Station has you covered on-air, online, and on social media. Download the free, WBRZ weather app HERE to find out first when new tropical updates become available.

A ***HURRICANE WARNING*** is in effect along the Louisiana coast including East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, St. James, Iberville, Assumption and St. Mary Parishes. Expect sustained winds in the ballpark of 30-40 mph with gusts over 75 mph for our covered parishes in this region. Changes in strength are possible as new data arrives.

A ***HURRICANE WATCH*** has been issued farther east for Livingston and southern Tangipahoa Parishes, along with the rest of the Northshore and New Orleans metro. While these areas are under a Tropical Storm Warning now, they may get upgraded to Hurricane Warnings depending on future track forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.

A ***TROPICAL STORM WARNING*** is in effect for Point Coupee, West and East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa Parishes. Expect sustained winds between 20-30 mph with gusts over 40 mph for these areas. Changes in strength are possible as new data arrives. 

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a TORNADO WATCH for portions of southern Louisiana until 11pm. Hurricane Francine will continue to approach the southern Louisiana coast and move inland as it progresses northeastward across the region through tonight. The potential for tornadoes is expected to increase through the afternoon and early evening. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. For more on tornado safety, CLICK HERE.

Heavy Rain/Flooding: 3-6" of rain is possible in Metro Baton Rouge, with higher amounts perhaps in the ballpark of 8"+ closer to where the center of the system tracks. The steadiest and heaviest rain will occur Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. Typical trouble spots may hold water, and southeast-facing shores will face minor to moderate coastal flooding. This forecast is closely tied to the track of Francine. A shift east would take the highest rain totals east with it.

A ***FLOOD WATCH*** has been issued for the entirety of south Louisiana. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. A Flood Watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. For more on flooding safety, CLICK HERE.

Wind: Areas near the center of circulation could experience hurricane-force winds, especially for those closer to the coast. Farther inland and away from the center, tropical storm-force (39 mph+) winds are possible with higher hurricane-force (74 mph+) at times. Winds will peak Wednesday evening, before subsiding on Thursday.

Storm Surge: Winds associated with Francine will push water toward the immediate coastline. Anywhere from 5 to 10 feet of storm surge is possible from Vermillion Bay to Port Fourchon. 3 to 5 feet of surge are possible along Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas. This is primarily an issue for non-levee protected areas.

A ***STORM SURGE WARNING*** is in effect along the immediate coastline and the Northshore.

This is a life-threatening situation for areas affected. Evacuation efforts and flood preparations should soon be brought to completion before conditions become unsafe. Be on the lookout for evacuation orders from officials and leave immediately if ordered.

The following is the forecast following Francine.

After Francine: Conditions will dramatically improve on Thursday. There may be some lingering breezes and isolated showers in the wake of Francine, but the day will otherwise feature a mix of sun and clouds with humidity and highs in the mid-80s. Ample sunshine and dry conditions will stick around Friday through the weekend but it will feel much like late summer with highs in the lower-90s, lows in the low-70s and some mugginess. CLICK HERE for the full Storm Station 7-Day Forecast. 

Click the icons below for resources ahead of Francine: 

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