Tropical Storm Francine Targets Gulf Coast with Potential Life-Threatening Impact

Tropical Storm Francine formed off Mexico's coast and is expected to bring heavy rainfall, storm surges, and strong winds to Texas and Louisiana. The region, still recovering from past hurricanes, faces potential life-threatening conditions by Wednesday night as Francine may escalate to hurricane strength.

Tropical Storm Francine formed on Monday off the coast of Mexico, poised to unleash up to 12 inches of rain on Texas before making landfall in Louisiana by Wednesday night as a hurricane.

"We're anticipating a very dangerous situation by Wednesday for the north-central Gulf Coast, particularly along Louisiana's coast. There's potential for life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds," said Michael Brennan, the director of the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

Francine's approach threatens an already vulnerable coastline, still recovering from hurricanes Laura and Delta's devastation four years ago. Currently located 245 miles southeast of the Rio Grande's mouth and 480 miles south-southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, Francine has winds reaching 50 mph. Forecasters state it could escalate to a hurricane, pushing a storm surge up to 10 feet, when it nears the northwestern Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Centre warns Francine will bring heavy rainfall and significant flash flooding risks along the coasts of northeastern Mexico, southern Texas, and into Louisiana and Mississippi through Thursday morning. Flash and urban flooding may also impact the Mid-South from Wednesday through Friday morning.

(With inputs from agencies.)