Latest Hurricane Francine Update
Francine became a hurricane Tuesday night.
At 700 AM CDT Wednesday, the center of Hurricane Francine was located near latitude 27.5 North, longitude 93.3 West. Francine is moving toward the northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h). Francine is anticipated to make landfall in Louisiana within the warning area this afternoon or evening. After landfall, the center is expected to move northward across Mississippi on Thursday and Thursday night.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km). Storm surge of up to 10 feet is expected along Vermilion Bay in Louisiana.
The governors of Louisiana and Mississippi have both declared a state of emergency and local leaders are ordering or strongly recommending evacuations in low-lying coastal areas.
Hurricane Preparation
Here are a few ways you can prepare to survive the storm:
- Always follow orders to evacuate – If state or local officials have ordered an evacuation of your area, always follow those orders. Your home, your materials can always be replaced; the lives of you and your family cannot. Also, it’s important to realize that there is a small window to safely evacuate, and rescue efforts DO NOT OCCUR DURING A STORM. Play it safe and evacuate if ordered to.
- Gas Up – Be ready for a 4-5 hour drive to safely escape the hurricane’s path.
- Cash On Hand – Even if you have plans to evacuate the area, it’s always a good idea to have cash in hand just in case for whatever reason you are unable to leave the area and are stranded without electricity and unable to access your funds for supplies after the storm.
- Stock Up On The Necessities – Here are some of the supplies that ready.gov recommends residents to stock up on in the event of a hurricane.
- Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
- Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Manual can opener for food.
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
- Insurance Documents – Do you know where your homeowner’s insurance policy is? If a major hurricane goes through your area, it’s highly likely that your home will sustain some sort of storm damage, even if it isn’t noticeable. Make sure you’re ready to claim your storm damage as soon as you return home.
Stay Informed
For WATCHES AND WARNINGS affecting your area, please National Hurricane Center at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml