Hurricane Francine Hits Louisiana Coast as Category 2 Storm

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, causing flooding in several areas. With winds reaching 100 mph, it is the third hurricane to hit the U.S. this year. Emergency measures, including curfews and evacuation orders, have been implemented to ensure safety.

Hurricane Francine made landfall on the Louisiana coast on Wednesday, intensifying into a Category 2 storm, The Washington Post reported. Social media images and videos showed flooding and rising water levels in areas such as Chauvin, Dulac, and Cocodrie.

The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Francine landed in Terrebonne Parish, southern Louisiana, at 5 p.m. Central time. With winds peaking at 100 mph, the storm hit 30 miles southwest of Morgan City.

Francine is the third hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this year, following Hurricane Beryl in Texas on July 8 and Hurricane Debby in Florida on August 5. As Francine approached Louisiana's coast on Wednesday night, it added another burst of strength, reaching Category 2 status.

In response to the devastating two-week power outage caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021, local leaders in southern Louisiana initiated the concept of 'community lighthouses.' These solar-powered outposts with backup batteries aim to stabilize communities following a storm, providing emergency shelters equipped with electronic charging stations, air conditioning, and medication storage.

Residents of New Orleans were advised to stay off the roads and shelter in place by 11 a.m. Wednesday. Over in Terrebonne Parish, which lies directly in Francine's path, officials imposed a parish-wide curfew starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday and mandated evacuations for residents in the most low-lying coastal regions.

(ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)