Francine was downgraded to a tropical depression on Thursday morning after making landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm came ashore in Terrebonne Parish, around 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, with maximum sustained winds of around 100 mph.
Meteorologists said heavy rain is now moving across portions of Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Tennessee, Georgia and eastern Arkansas, and warned "this rainfall could lead to locally considerable flash and urban flooding."
For live updates on the storm and its impacts, follow along in the blog below. Sign up for breaking news e-mail updates from Yahoo News.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER55 updates
Chanelle Chandler
Wind advisories in effect for Southeast
Parts of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi have wind advisories in effect as Francine brings strong winds and gusts as high as 50 mph to the Southeast, according to the National Weather Service.
Areas in Tennessee are expected to experience wind gusts up to 45 mph and have wind advisories in place until Friday morning.
Wind advisories for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and much of Mississippi are in effect until 7 p.m. local time on Thursday.
North Central and Northwest Georgia may experience isolated gusts nearing 35 mph, the NWS said. North and south portions of the Atlanta metro area will also experience wind gusts up to 35 mph. A wind advisory is in effect until 5 a.m. local time on Friday.
Parts of Alabama, including the southern and northern parts of the state, and northwest Florida are expected to get wind gusts up to 40 mph. Wind advisories are in place until 1 p.m. Thursday in some parts of Alabama and Florida, stretching into Friday morning in areas like Huntsville, Ala.
Chanelle Chandler
Tornado watches in effect for Alabama, Florida Panhandle
Tornado watches are in effect for southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle until 1 p.m. local time in the following counties, according to the National Weather Service:
Florida
Bay
Calhoun
Escambia
Franklin
Gulf
Holmes
Jackson
Liberty
Okaloosa
Santa Rosa
Wakulla
Walton
Washington
Alabama
Butler
Covington
Escambia
Houston
Coffee
Crenshaw
Geneva
Monroe
Conecuh
Dale
Henry
Wilcox
Chanelle Chandler
Heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, downed trees and power outages hit Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said that no injuries have been reported and around 51,000 people were without power in the state on Thursday morning.
"This is down from a high of approximately 64,000," Reeves wrote on X. "Over 160 people used shelters last night. Several roads are closed in coastal and central counties due to flooding." He noted that "heavy rain is expected to continue through at least this afternoon, so please continue to stay weather aware."
Francine is expected to dump around 3 to 6 inches of rain through parts of Mississippi on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Strong winds and heavy rainfall will develop across the area associated with Francine this morning. Downed trees & power outages along with flash flooding & minor river flooding have already been reported and are expected to continue. pic.twitter.com/U4bX8HZFQG
— NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) September 12, 2024
"Downed trees & power outages along with flash flooding & minor river flooding have already been reported and are expected to continue," NWS Jackson MS said. A flood watch is in effect until 1 p.m. local time.
Meteorologists also reported wind gusts of up to 50 mph in central and northern Mississippi. A wind advisory is in effect until 7 p.m.
Chanelle Chandler
Downed trees, flooded roads seen after Francine makes landfall
Scenes of flooded roads and residents assessing the damage done by uprooted trees in their neighborhoods emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.
See AlsoHurricane tracker live updates: Francine downgraded to tropical depression after making landfall in LouisianaFrancine weakens to a tropical storm after making landfall in Louisiana as Category 2 hurricaneTropical Storm Francine likely to become a hurricane. Will it make landfall in Texas?September 11, 2024 - Francine makes landfall in Louisiana | CNNChanelle Chandler
26 people rescued from floodwaters in Louisiana
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies said they safely rescued 26 people, including small children, trapped in their homes by rising floodwaters in Thibodaux on Wednesday evening.
The people were taken to a local emergency shelter, local news outlet WGNO reported.
Residents in other parts of Thibodaux were also rescued by deputies in other parts of the parish, including the Kraemer neighborhood.
Dylan Stableford
New Orleans set a daily record for rain yesterday
New Orleans International Airport recorded 7.32 inches of rain on Wednesday, breaking the daily record set in 1998, when 5.64 inches fell, according to local meteorologists.
With the 7.32in of rain that fell Wednesday from #Francine, it breaks the old daily record rainfall of 5.64in in 1998. pic.twitter.com/EOcKGXcHVj
— Derek Sibley (@SibleyDerek) September 12, 2024
Dylan Stableford
Here is the latest rainfall forecast for Francine
Francine is bringing heavy rain to a large swath of the southeast as it moves inland.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches across portions of Mississippi, eastern Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
"Localized amounts up to 10 inches are possible within rain bands over portions of central and northern Alabama and over the Florida Panhandle," the weather service said. "This rainfall could lead to locally considerable flash and urban flooding."
Nicole Darrah
Weather forecasters warn: Stay vigilant even after a storm passes
Even though Francine has weakened, the National Weather Service warns that hazards still remain. "This is NOT the time to put your guard down," the NWS New Orleans office wrote online.
As you're waking up this morning, even though #Francine has left the area, some hazards remain. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/13luNFfAca
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) September 12, 2024
Dylan Stableford
Nearly 400,000 customers are without power in Louisiana
According to PowerOutage.us, a website that tracks utility companies across the country, more than 390,000 customers in Louisiana were without power as of 8 a.m. ET, or roughly 20% of the total number tracked in the state. Most of the outages were in Terrebonne, Lafourche and Jefferson parishes, near where Francine made landfall.
Nicole Darrah
Francine downgraded to tropical depression, heavy rain moving across Southern U.S.
Francine was downgraded to a tropical depression on Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory on the storm.
The storm made landfall on Wednesday evening as a Category 2 hurricane, before weakening to a tropical storm.
Meteorologists said that "heavy rainfall" is now spreading across Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
The storm is currently around 30 miles south of Jackson, Miss., with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
Yahoo News Staff
Francine downgraded to a tropical storm
Francine was downgraded to a tropical storm late Wednesday night by the National Hurricane Center, as the storm's power decreased after it made landfall earlier in the evening.
All hurricane watches have been discontinued, and hurricane and tropical storm warnings west of Intracoastal City have been discontinued. The storm surge warning west of Avery Island has been discontinued. The bulletin warned that "heavy rains and wind gusts to hurricane-force" were still happening in Metropolitan New Orleans.
A number of watches and warnings are still in effect.
Storm surge warning for:
Avery Island, La., to the Mississippi/Alabama border
Vermilion Bay, La.
Lake Maurepas, La.
Lake Pontchartrain, La.
Tropical storm warning for:
Intracoastal City, La., to the Alabama/Florida border
Lake Maurepas, La.
Lake Pontchartrain, La., including metropolitan New Orleans
A storm surge warning signifies "there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, beginning shortly for the indicated locations," according to the hurricane center.
A tropical storm warning means storm conditions are expected somewhere in the area.
Yahoo News Staff
Flash flood emergency issued for parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans
A flash flood emergency has been issued for parts of Southern Louisiana, including New Orleans, as heavy rains and winds from Francine douse the e
Flash Flood Emergency including New Orleans LA, Metairie LA and Kenner LA until 11:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/EaWGnIiHSx
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) September 12, 2024
A flash flood EMERGENCY has been issued for parts of St John the Baptist, St Charles, Jefferson and Orleans Parish. Very heavy rainfall is ongoing and flooding is likely. Shelter in place in the lowest non flooded level of your house! #LAwx pic.twitter.com/gMXLi0NSRK
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) September 12, 2024
David Knowles
Tropical Storm Francine: The forecast ahead
Francine made landfall Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing winds of 100 mph to Louisiana. As of Wednesday night, Francine was moving northeast and had been downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"This general motion should continue, taking the system across southeastern Louisiana tonight and across Mississippi Thursday and Thursday night," the hurricane center projected.
The storm is forecast to bring as much as "12 inches (of rain) across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night."
Flash flooding is possible in these areas as well as the threat of tornadoes.
The storm will have a far-reaching impact as it drenches the Southern U.S. for the rest of the week.
"Across portions of the Lower Tennessee Valley, Lower Mississippi Valley, northeast Florida and Alabama, rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with local amounts of 8 inches are possible through Friday morning. This rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding," the NHC said.
By Friday afternoon, the storm will have reached Northeastern Arkansas and Western Tennessee, and by early Saturday morning Francine's effects will be felt in Southern Missouri, according to current projections.
Yahoo News Staff
Power outages rise to almost 250,000
Almost 250,000 customers are without power in Louisiana as of 9:25 p.m., as Francine moves inland after making landfall earlier in the day.
The outages are heaviest in the southern parishes near the coast, including St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, Jefferson, Orleans, East Baton Rouge, and Ascension, according to PowerOutage.us, a website that tracks outages across the country.
Yahoo News Staff
Strong winds, rain from Francine striking New Orleans
The effects of Hurricane Francine are now being felt across the New Orleans area, the National Hurricane Center said in its 9 p.m. ET update.
"Heavy rains and gusty winds are spreading across metropolitan New Orleans," the hurricane center said. "An observation in Lakefront Airport has recently reported sustained winds of 37 mph (59 km/h) with a gust to 49 mph (80 km/h)."
"Conditions are expected to continue to deteriorate during the next couple of hours," the bulletin additionally warned.
Weather Channel meteorologist Paul Goodloe was struggling to stay upright as he reported from the city Wednesday night.
@Paul_Goodloe is taking a beating right now in New Orleans as the northern eyewall of Hurricane Francine is making it into downtown.
Coverage of #Francine continues all night on @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/aiEiLe0KUM
— Dalton Mullinax (@MullinaxWX) September 12, 2024
Yahoo News Staff
Satellite imagery shows Francine hitting coast
Satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Francine moving across the Southern U.S. Wednesday.
Yahoo News Staff
175,000 customers without power in Louisiana
Roughly 175,000 customers are now without power in Louisiana, as Francine continues to ravage the state's coast.
The outages are concentrated in St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, and Assumption parishes, according to PowerOutage.us, a website that tracks outages across the country.
Yahoo News Staff
Video shows powerful winds, rain hitting Louisiana
Video from local media in Southern Louisiana showed strong winds and rain from Francine battering the region.
Heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Francine in Convent. pic.twitter.com/NcOEbrTPMT
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) September 12, 2024
Conditions are starting to deteriorate in Tangipahoa Parish. Here is a look at the wind and rain in Manchac pic.twitter.com/runCGaH6sW
— wdsu (@wdsu) September 12, 2024
Metairie is getting hit with strong winds right now from Hurricane Francine.
Hunker down and stay away from any downed trees and power lines.@FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/VFjkOzCYwr
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) September 12, 2024
Trees violently shake as storm rolls through Assumption Parish https://t.co/l6FWbtz2h3 pic.twitter.com/dcI4RZwXhh
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) September 12, 2024
WATCH: Strong winds are stripping leaves off trees as heavy rain soaks the outskirts of Morgan City after Hurricane Francine made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane.
Read more: https://t.co/4q1GDfFuPe pic.twitter.com/gHJBtj1oDU
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) September 11, 2024
Yahoo News Staff
Tornado threat area extended for Thursday
As Francine moves inland, the storm brings the threat of tornadoes with it. The National Weather Service has extended its tornado warning into the outheastern U.S. for Thursday.
"A few tornadoes will be possible, mainly in the morning and afternoon from the Florida Panhandle to north-central Alabama," the weather service said.
Let's turn our attention to TOMORROW for a moment. As #Francine moves northward tomorrow, the tornado threat area will extend northward along with it. A few tornadoes will be possible, mainly in the morning and afternoon from the Florida Panhandle to north-central Alabama.
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 12, 2024
Yahoo News Staff
Updated warnings issued for Hurricane Francine
The National Hurricane Center issued a new series of warnings at 8 p.m. ET for Hurricane Francine:
Storm surge warnings:
Vermilion/Cameron Parish, La., to the Mississippi/Alabama border
Vermilion Bay, La.
Lake Maurepas, La.
Lake Pontchartrain, La.
Hurricane warning for:
The Louisiana coast from Vermilion/Cameron Line eastward to Grand Isle
Hurricane watch for:
Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans
Tropical storm warning for:
The Louisiana coast from Cameron to the Vermilion/Cameron Line
East of Grand Isle, La., to the Alabama/Florida border
Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans
According to the hurricane center, a storm surge warning means "there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, beginning shortly for the indicated locations."
A hurricane or tropical storm warning means conditions are expected in the area, while a watch means conditions are possible.
