Wikipedia

Hurricane Francine (2024)

Hurricane Francine was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that brought extensive flooding to parts of the Gulf Coast of the United States, especially Louisiana, in September 2024. The sixth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, its formation brought the end to a significant quiet period in tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic.[1] Originating from a tropical wave that was initially spotted in the central Atlantic by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in late August, the disturbance that eventually became Francine began gradually organizing on September 7 as it exited the Yucatan Peninsula and entered the Bay of Campeche. The disturbance consolidated further and was designated by the NHC as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six on September 8. The next day, it was upgraded to tropical storm status and was named Francine by the NHC.

Hurricane Francine
Francine near peak intensity while approaching Louisiana on September 11
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 9, 2024
Post-tropicalSeptember 12, 2024
Category 2 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds100 mph (155 km/h)
Lowest pressure972 mbar (hPa); 28.70 inHg
Overall effects
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedEastern Mexico, Gulf Coast of the United States (particularly Mississippi and Louisiana)
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
  Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On August 26, the NHC noted that a low-pressure area could form in the Central Tropical Atlantic.[2] Two days later, they began tracking a tropical wave producing disorganized showers.[3] Initially, showers from the wave were a bit more concentrated along its axis,[4] becoming more organized by August 31.[5] However, an unfavorable environment for development caused the wave to become disorganized.[6] Several days later, on September 7, the wave crossed into the Bay of Campeche,[7] becoming a low-pressure area the next day.[8] As a result, a few hours later, it was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Six at 21:00 UTC on September 8.[9] Higher wind gusts in the system were enhanced by a barrier jet near the Sierra Madre Oriental.[9] Early the next day, the disturbance intensified into Tropical Storm Francine.[10] The nascent storm slowly moved northwest over the next day close to the Mexico–United States border before beginning to move more to the northeast due to a ridge of high pressure over the state of Florida.[11] Steady intensification ensued, with Francine becoming a hurricane at 03:00 UTC September 11.[12]

Beginning to accelerate northeast towards the Gulf Coast of the United States, an eyewall began developing, even as wind shear began to increase and environmental conditions worsened.[13] Despite this, a ragged eye developed on satellite imagery later that morning, leading to a peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane. At its peak, the storm recorded maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb (28.7 inHg) at 21:00 UTC.[14] Shortly thereafter, at 22:00 UTC, Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, still maintaining Category 2 strength.[15][16] Rapid weakening began after the hurricane made landfall, and at 03:00 UTC on September 12, Francine weakened into a tropical storm.[17]

Preparations

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Mexico

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Tropical storm watches were issued from Barra del Tordo to the mouth of the Rio Grande.[18] Other parts of Northeast Mexico were placed under tropical storm warning.[19] Tamaulipas shut down schools in Matamoros, San Fernando, and Valle Hermoso.[20]

United States

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ExxonMobil and Shell canceled operations in the Gulf of Mexico and evacuated their employees.[1] Amtrak suspended service to New Orleans from September 11-14.[21]

Texas

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South Texas was placed under a tropical storm warning as Francine approached.[19] Galveston County raised their emergency management facility's level to two.[22] Governor Greg Abbott mobilized water rescue teams.[1]

Louisiana

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Hurricane warnings were issued from Sabine Pass to Morgan City.[23] Louisiana was placed under a state of emergency by the governor.[24] The governor also sent 2,300 guardsmen of the Louisiana National Guard to parishes that were likely to be affected.[25][26] Several school districts in Louisiana closed in preparation for Francine.[27][28] Mandatory evacuations were issued for Grand Isle, Lafitte, and Barataria.[29] Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Washington Parishes issued curfews.[30] St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes raised their floodgates.[31] Iberia Parish and Baton Rouge distributed sandbags.[32][33]

Louis Armstrong International Airport canceled all flights.[34] Five USPS locations were shut down.[35] Port Fourchon, a major supplier of offshore oil producers, and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port were closed.[36]

Elsewhere

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The coast of Mississippi and Alabama was placed under a tropical storm warning.[37][38] Governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves issued a declaration of a state of emergency.[39] Jackson, Mississippi, set up a shelter in the police training academy.[39] Several schools in the state were closed for Francine.[40]

Impact

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Mexico

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Several areas in Matamoros flooded from 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain;[41] aid from the Mexican Government was requested as a result.[42] Water pumps were set up across the city.[43]

United States

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Maximum rainfall and wind speeds[44][45]
State Rainfall Wind speeds
Louisiana 8.38 in (213 mm) 79 mph (127 km/h)
Texas 7.44 in (189 mm) 38 mph (61 km/h)
Gulf of Mexico N/A 112 mph (180 km/h)

Exports out to the Gulf of Mexico were disrupted as a result of Francine.[36] Reductions in production caused crude oil prices to jump by 2% on September 11.[46]

Texas

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By September 9, Port O'Connor was experiencing flooding conditions.[47]

Louisiana

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Francine made landfall near Southern Louisiana in Terrebonne Parish with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) at 22:00 UTC on September 11.[48] A tornado warning was issued for Plaquemines Parish.[30] In the Southeastern part of the state, over 200,000 were without power.[49] Francine's winds downed numerous trees and power lines, which resulted in blocked roads. Numerous streets sustained flooding as a result of heavy rainfall.[50]

Mississippi

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As Tropical Storm Francine weakened, it bypassed the Mississippi Coast's worst impacts but still caused flooding in roads and low-lying areas. Strong winds swept through the region before sunrise on September 12. The Jackson County Office of Emergency Services reported minor damage across the county, including power outages, downed trees, and flooded streets. As Francine moved further north, it was downgraded to a tropical depression, bringing heavy rainfall to Jackson and central Mississippi. South Mississippi and Louisiana faced significant flooding and related issues during the storm's passage.[51]

Aftermath

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Mexico

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Plans DN-III and Tamaulipas were initiated to provide aid to areas affected by Francine.[41]

See also

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References

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  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Weather Service.

  1. ^ a b c Yousif, Nadine; Drenon, Brandon (September 11, 2024). "Louisiana braces as Hurricane Francine barrels in". BBC. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Papin, Philippe (August 26, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Reinhart, Brad (August 28, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Papin, Philippe (August 29, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Beven, Jack (August 31, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Blake, Eric (September 2, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Bucci, Lisa (September 7, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  8. ^ Reinhart, Brad (September 8, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Papin, Philippe (September 8, 2024). Potential Tropical Cyclone Six Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  10. ^ Tropical Storm Francine Discussion Number 4 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Yanez, Anthony; Brown, Caroline (September 10, 2024). "How a high in Florida is helping pull Francine away from Texas". KPRC. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Cangialosi, John; Hagan, Andrew (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Reinhart, Brad (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine Discussion Number 11". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Beven, Jack (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine Discussion Number 13". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Sosnowski, Alex (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine makes landfall in southern Louisiana as a Category 2 storm". Accuweather. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Kay, Christana (September 12, 2024). "Francine moves across Mississippi with drenching rains, damaging winds". WAPT. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  17. ^ Cangialosi, John (September 11, 2024). Tropical Storm Francine Discussion Number 14 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Chinchar, Allison; Norman, Gene; Raffa, Elisa; Gilbert, Mary (September 8, 2024). "Potential Tropical Cyclone Six forms in Gulf with tropical storm watch issued for Mexico". CNN. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  19. ^ a b DiMichele, Angie; Schutz, David; Ballard, Victoria (September 9, 2024). "Tropical Storm Francine likely to become hurricane soon, forecasters say". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "Suspenden clases por tormenta Francine en municipios de Tamaulipas". ContraRéplica (in Spanish). September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "Amtrak Advisory | Service adjustments due to Hurricane Francine". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Flury, Jade (September 9, 2024). "Galveston businesses brace for Tropical Storm Francine". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Dakss, Brian; Czachor, Emily Mae (September 9, 2024). "Tropical Storm Francine forms in Gulf of Mexico, expected to hit Louisiana as hurricane - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Gov. Landry declares a state of emergency for Louisiana ahead of Francine". WWNO. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Cline, Sara; Brook, Jack (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine could bring storm surge and flooding to Louisiana's coast". AP News. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Burke, Minyvonne (September 11, 2024). "Louisiana National Guard has more than 2,300 guardsmen ready to assist". NBC News. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Lowrey, Erin (September 9, 2024). "LIST: Schools closed ahead of expected tropical weather". WDSU. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  28. ^ Morris, Athina (September 10, 2024). "List: Parish-by-parish school closures ahead of Francine". WWNO. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Lowrey, Erin (September 9, 2024). "Mandatory evacuation ordered for Grand Isle, Lafitte, Barataria". WDSU. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Jennifer, Torres (September 11, 2024). "Curfews, closures and safety warnings issued as Louisiana parishes brace for Hurricane Francine". gulflive. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  31. ^ Haczek, Ángela Reyes (September 9, 2024). "La tormenta tropical Francine obliga a evacuar a lo largo de la costa del Golfo; Louisiana bajo advertencia de huracán" [Tropical Storm Francine obligates evacuations along the Gulf Coast; Louisiana is under hurricane warnings]. CNN (in Spanish). Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  32. ^ Damico, Dawson (September 9, 2024). "'As prepared as we can be:' Iberia Parish preps for Tropical Storm Francine". KLFY-TV. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "Luisiana bajo advertencia de huracán por tormenta Francine" [Louisiana under hurricane warning for Storm Francine]. DW (in Spanish). September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  34. ^ "All flights cancelled at MSY ahead of Hurricane Francine's landfall". WDSU. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Lee, Bernadette (September 11, 2024). "Louisiana Post Office Closures: What You Need To Know". KPEL 96.5. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Parraga, Marianna; Seba, Erwin; Polansek, Tom (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine disrupts Louisiana energy hubs, crop exports". Reuters. Houston/Chicago. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  37. ^ Beven, Jack (September 11, 2024). "Tropical Storm Francine Advisory Number 9". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  38. ^ Doubek, James (September 10, 2024). "Francine takes aim at Louisiana, where it's expected to hit as a hurricane". NPR. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Muhammad, Shaunicy (September 10, 2024). "Mississippi Braces For Hurricane Francine". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  40. ^ Corder, Frank (September 11, 2024). "Mississippi braces for heavy rains, possible power outages from Hurricane Francine". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  41. ^ a b Tovar, Sandra (September 9, 2024). "Francine deja inundaciones en colonias de Matamoros" [Francine leaves floods in Matamoros colonies]. El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  42. ^ "Francine strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane as it churns toward Louisiana". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  43. ^ Caicedo, Santiago (September 9, 2024). "Tracking Tropical Storm Francine: Flooding reported in several Matamoros neighborhoods". KRGV. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  44. ^ Weather Prediction Center (September 11, 2024). "Storm Summary Number 3 for Heavy Rain and Wind Associated with Francine". Iowa Environmental Mesonet (Press release). College Park, Maryland: National Weather Service. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  45. ^ Kelly, Larry. "Hurricane Francine Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  46. ^ Francis, Maria. "Hurricane Francine made US landfall as Cat 2: How will it impact the Northeast?". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  47. ^ "Tropical Storm Francine A Gulf Hurricane Threat". The Weather Channel. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  48. ^ Cangialosi, John; Bucci, Lisa (September 11, 2024). "Hurricane Francine Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  49. ^ Lowrey, Erin (September 12, 2024). "Power outage maps for Entergy, Cleco, and more". WDSU. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  50. ^ Wells, Carlie; Brasted, Chelsea (September 11, 2024). "Live updates: Hurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana". Axios. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  51. ^ Perez, Mary (September 12, 2024). "Curfews over, South Mississippi surveys flooding after Francine's landfall".
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