WTUS84 KLCH 100322 HLSLCH LAZ027>033-044-045-055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254-TXZ180-201-259>262-515-516-615-616-101130- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Advisory Number 6 National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL062024 1022 PM CDT Mon Sep 9 2024 This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas **FRANCINE EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE SOON** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Avoyelles * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and West Cameron - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Upper St. Mary - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, Northern Acadia, Southern Acadia, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, and Upper Vermilion - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Lower Jefferson - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allen, Beauregard, Evangeline, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Northern Orange, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jasper, Southern Jefferson Davis, Southern Newton, Southern Orange, St. Landry, and Upper Jefferson - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Avoyelles * STORM INFORMATION: - About 420 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 480 miles southwest of Morgan City LA - 24.3N 96.2W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen to a hurricane while moving due north, and will impact portions of south central Louisiana and Southeast Texas Wednesday into Thursday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts across Cameron, Vermilion, Iberia, and St. Mary Parishes. 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: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across South Central 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across central and southwest Louisiana. * WIND: Protect against 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, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across central and southwest Louisiana. * TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across 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: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * 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 5 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$