Hurricane Francine Devastates the Gulf Coast

Hurricane Francine struck southern Louisiana, prompting evacuation orders due to winds of 90 mph, heavy rainfall, and a storm surge. The storm had a severe impact on New Orleans and the wider Gulf Coast, reminding residents of past hurricanes like Katrina, with significant disruptions to energy production and daily life.

Hurricane Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday, posing a significant threat to New Orleans and the broader Gulf Coast due to its powerful winds, rain, and storm surge. Thousands were evacuated as Francine's maximum sustained winds hit 90 miles per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The storm, which briefly intensified to a Category 2 before making landfall, led to warnings of life-threatening conditions across Louisiana and Mississippi. In New Orleans, the usually bustling French Quarter was eerily quiet, with heavy police presence and boarded-up businesses.

Recognizing the storm's severity, both Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency. The storm triggered large-scale evacuations and brought back memories of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in 2005. Energy production in the Gulf of Mexico was severely disrupted, and the city braced for potential damage despite recently upgraded levee protections.

(With inputs from agencies.)