WTUS84 KLCH 101513 HLSLCH LAZ027>033-044-045-055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254-TXZ180-201-259>262-515-516-615-616-102315- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Advisory Number 8 National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL062024 1013 AM CDT Tue Sep 10 2024 This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas **FRANCINE NOW MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Beauregard, Northern Orange, Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, Southern Orange, and Upper Jefferson - The Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Northern Acadia, Southern Acadia, and St. Landry * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - 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 Hurricane Warning is in effect for Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, 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, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Northern Acadia, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Southern Acadia, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jefferson Davis, and St. Landry * STORM INFORMATION: - About 370 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 430 miles southwest of Morgan City LA - 24.9N 95.6W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 8 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 south central 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: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across 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 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 east central Louisiana. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across Acadiana. 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 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: 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! * 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 4:00 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$