Francine made landfall in Louisiana in the evening on Wednesday, as a Category 2 hurricane, leaving about 190,000 of the customers in darkness and bringing torrential rains to areas along the Gulf Coast. The storm made landfall in Terrebonne parish southwest of Morgan city with wind speed approaching 100 knots.
At approximately 5 pm CT, hurricane force winds, as far as the inner northeastern eye. Eye of francine made landfall in terrebonne parish in a direction that is southwest of baton rouge.
Many things were reported in Louisiana including flooded streets, downed power lines and broken tree branches according to Morgan City Fire chief Alvin Cockerham. Within moments he added: “It’s a little bit worse than what I expected, to be honest with you.. It’s too dangerous to be out there in this.”
The centre, however, appears to be getting calmer, the National Hurricane Centre NHC says will track Frances in a northerly direction on Thursday, through southeastern Louisiana and across southwestern and central Mississippi. The reach of flooding from the storms can flood hundreds of miles even after its center has moved inland.
Risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms
Francine was the sixth storm that was christened with a name during the six-season storm operatic hurricane series which started after nurturance and escalated rapidly prior to land fall. The tornadoes and action of thunderstorms with severe weather flashes that have been created by the storm too became evident and its gone over past Friday morning.
Advisory issued
Residents were ordered to stay indoors by the National Hurricane Center as Francine advanced inland. It was expected that the storm would pass close to New Orleans and then weaken. As it continues its northeast shopping in Mississippi. But heavy rains and possible flash floods had been forecasted in some cities. Senior hurricane specialist Brad Reinhart explained, while all of these warnings are credible. Most of the Midwest could actually receive from 1- 2 inches of rain. “Certain areas could even receive rains of up to twelve inches.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said that there would be assistance from the National Guard to the affected regions in the form of food, water, vehicles, boats and helicopters for search and rescue operation.
President grants emergency declaration
Biden took into consideration the scenario and sanctioned an emergency declaration for Louisiana which was promptly followed by the Louisiana and Mississippi Governors declaring a state of emergency.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency distributed over 100000 sandbags to southern Mississippi and a number of schools were closed.
Governor Landry stated: “Having declared an emergency, we are now entirely warranted in stating that the storm is of such severity that the state and local governments cannot suck up this one. Federal assistance is required to protect the lives and property of the people.”
Flights canceled
Airlines cancelled flights going to and fro from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport till Thursday morning.
Residents describe storm as ‘little scary’
Coastal communities had strong winds, high waves, and flooded streets as well. Many areas in southeast Louisiana suffered from power outages due to damage in the coastal parishes and also nearby regions.
Laura Leftwich sheltered in her mother’s house where she witnessed the wind knocking down some bird houses and flooding of the street in doing video which she shared with friends. She remarked, “It’s a little scary stuff.”
Resident Luis Morfin left a camper parked outside the levee and went to seek shelter in a friend’s home. “It was what we knew went in to do,” he said.
Third hurricane this year in the US
This years third hurricane to make landfall on continental USA is called Francine. This years hurricane season saw hurricane beryl making landfall at Matagorda Texas on the 8th of July as Category one hurricane. August 5th saw hurricane debby physically appear near steinhatchee florida category 1.
Almost the whole of Louisiana and the southern part of Mississippi had Tornado Watch. Due to bulwark storm and such as the bands that came with it from the Gulf of Mexico.
