WTUS84 KLCH 101208 HLSLCH LAZ027>033-044-045-055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254-TXZ180-201-259>262-515-516-615-616-102015- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 7A National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL062024 708 AM CDT Tue Sep 10 2024 This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas **FRANCINE LIKELY TO BECOME A HURRICANE TODAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning have been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, Upper St. Mary, and Upper Vermilion - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Avoyelles - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for St. Landry * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, and Upper Vermilion - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, Upper St. Mary, and West Cameron - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Northern Acadia, Southern Acadia, and St. Landry - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Lower Jefferson - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Northern Orange, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jasper, Southern Jefferson Davis, Southern Newton, Southern Orange, and Upper Jefferson * STORM INFORMATION: - About 400 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 460 miles southwest of Morgan City LA - 24.5N 95.9W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen to a hurricane while moving north today, 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. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across central Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across central and southwest Louisiana. * 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 limited to significant impacts across central and southwest Louisiana. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across south central Louisiana. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across central and southwest Louisiana. 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: If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. 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 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$