WTUS84 KLCH 091534 HLSLCH LAZ027>033-044-045-055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254-TXZ180-201-259>262-515-516-615-616-092345- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Advisory Number 4 National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL062024 1034 AM CDT Mon Sep 9 2024 This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas **DISTURBANCE BECOMES TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and Upper St. Mary - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch have been issued for Lower Jefferson and West Cameron - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, Northern Acadia, Southern Acadia, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, and Upper Vermilion - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Northern Orange, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jefferson Davis, Southern Newton, and Southern Orange * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and Upper St. Mary - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Lower Jefferson and West Cameron - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, Northern Acadia, Southern Acadia, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, and Upper Vermilion - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Northern Orange, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jefferson Davis, Southern Newton, and Southern Orange * STORM INFORMATION: - About 480 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 520 miles south-southwest of Morgan City LA - 23.0N 94.9W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Potential Tropical Cyclone SIX has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Francine. Impacts are expected along Southeast TX and Southwest LA Coastline. Gradual strengthening to a hurricane is forecast prior to landfall. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts across Coastal Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across much of Louisiana. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across south central Louisiana . * WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across South Central Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Large areas with power and communications outages. Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across Coastal Southeast TX and South Central Louisiana. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Eastern portions of South Central Louisiana. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Lake Charles LA around 4:00PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$