Hurricane Francine, which made landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday as a Category 2 storm with winds up to 100 mph, has weakened to a tropical depression as it moves inland. Despite its weakening, the storm continues to cause significant flooding and power outages across several southern states.As of Thursday, over 450,000 people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are without power, a significant increase from earlier reports. The storm has dumped what meteorologists describe as ‘a month’s worth of rain’ in New Orleans and surrounding areas.The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued flood watches and warnings covering approximately 12 million people across parts of Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Some areas are expected to receive up to 12 inches of rain, raising concerns about flash flooding and urban flooding.”These rains could cause sudden and significant urban flooding,” the NHC stated. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves urged residents to ‘stay weather aware,’ while Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry toured the hardest-hit areas.Despite the extensive flooding and power outages, there have been no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. However, local officials are beginning to assess the damage, and stories of heroic rescues are emerging. In one instance, a nurse named Miles Crawford was seen rescuing a driver from a submerged pickup truck.As Francine continues to move northward, it’s expected to reach Arkansas by Friday. The storm’s effects are also being felt in the energy sector, with disruptions to oil and gas production in the Gulf Coast potentially leading to higher gas prices in the coming weeks.Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to stay indoors, avoid travel, and follow local guidelines for safety. The National Guard has been deployed to assist in response efforts.
Key points
- Hurricane Francine has weakened to a tropical depression but continues to cause significant flooding and power outages.
- Over 450,000 people are without power across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
- Flood watches and warnings cover approximately 12 million people across several southern states.
- The storm is expected to bring up to 12 inches of rain in some areas, raising concerns about flash flooding.
Contradictions👾Some sources report over 450,000 people without power, while others cite lower numbers around 350,000.
This discrepancy may be due to different reporting times or methodologies.
