Hurricane Francine 2024: Path, Updates, and Emergency Resources

Of all the natural hazards, the Francine Hurricane is the greatest threat to life and property along the Gulf Coast of the United States, especially Louisiana and Tamaulipas. Originating from a tropical wave, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first spotted it in the Atlantic in late August 2024. Since then the tropical storm continued to strengthen. Thousands of people were forced to live without power in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. 

Likewise, millions of people had to live with life-threatening flood warnings because heavy landfall was expected to occur. This happened when Category 2 of Hurricane Francine 2024 hit Louisiana. At that time, the storm surge swept homes off their foundations, knocked out the power supply, sent storm surge to coastal side communities, and raised flooding fears. Read the following article to learn more about Hurricane Francine update.

Hurricane Francine Path: Latest Developments

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellite (NOAA) closely monitors Hurricane Francine path. According to its reports, it has intensified and brought life-threatening winds and storm surges to a great extent. From the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, it has moved to northward Louisiana. This is a devastating condition that developed in southern Louisiana. Notably, the Louisiana government urged for evacuation orders. In response, people had to pack their essentials and evacuate their homes to save their lives. 

Around 4 pm, Sept.10, Hurricane Francine grew more violent when it reached Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of up to 100 mph. It made a heavy landfall at Terrebonne Parish.  It is located about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City in southern Louisiana. The disastrous landfall with hurricane-force winds inundated the coastal areas with flash floods. It made many roads impassable.  The affected areas were Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida Panhandle, and Louisiana. About 318,000 customers were left in the dark because of the power outages. 

Since then, the hurricane has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of up to 25 mph. Currently, the NOAA satellite has observed no cyclone along coastlines. However, the Francine Hurricane has not been showing active signs of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and Central Pacific oceans. But, based on its previous movements, it is clear that the storm is unpredictable. It has shown loops, hairpin turns, and sharp curves in September 2024. Fortunately, the storm encountered strong winds before landfall in Louisiana. Therefore, it could not strengthen further and reached the post-cyclone category more quickly.

Real-Time Hurricane Francine 2024 Updates

• The period of post-hurricane Francine has begun right now. Life has started to settle again to normalcy.
• After a devastating period in Louisiana, all St. Mary Public Schools are open and luckily, the student attendance at each school is above 90%.
• The US government emphasizes repairing damaged structures to improve their resilience to threatening winds and storms.
• According to Moody’s reports, Hurricane Francine 2024 US private offshore energy and onshore insured loss is expected to be less than 2 billion dollars.
• The losses to the National Flood Insurance Program are expected to be under 200 million dollars, according to Hurricane Francine update.
• The administrative body and strategic planning of New Orleans were questioned post-hurricane period.
• US futures natural gas fell 2% as Gulf of Mexico producers are optimistic for their business growth in the next months.
• Still, flood watches and wind advisories are in effect for Louisiana or neighboring coastal regions. 

Emergency Resources for Hurricane Francine

Hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers with local authorities are serving thousands of people afflicted by the consequences of Hurricane Francine. They provide emergency shelter, food, medications, and critical relief supplies. So far, Red Cross workers and local authorities have provided almost 890 overnight stays in 27 temporary night shelters. To extend the benefits of Hurricane Francine emergency resources to more people, the workers have collaborated with local community partners in Terrebonne Parish like TCU Food Bank, Hope Extreme, Friends of the Terrebonne Public Library, and the Louisiana Southern Missionary Baptist Association. If you are in an emergency, you can contact the local Red Blood Cross Society. 

FEMA is committed to serving Louisiana homeowners and renters in eight parishes to whom the consequences of Hurricane Francine severely hit. The eight parishes are Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne. Under the FEMA  Hurricane Francine emergency resources program, the voluntary workers helped eligible homeowners and renters with $750 for their essential needs. Other than this, financial aid was given to dislocated people from their homes because of the disaster. If you are in an emergency, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3162. HELP is available in various languages. 

Some Tips for Emergency Contacts and Disaster Preparedness

• Create emergency contact cards for each family member.
• Ensure schools or daycares where children spend time have your emergency contact numbers.
• Keep watchful for alerts and warnings to track the storm’s progress.
• Learning basic first aid is a proactive approach to disaster.
• Keep batteries for the radio for emergency updates.
• Make sure you have one week’s medical supplies for your parents.

Francine Hurricane 2024: Preparedness and Safety Tips

A little planning and strategy in advance can keep you organized even in a catastrophic event. So, it is good to know what actions to take before the landfall of the Francine Hurricane, when you get the first Hurricane Francine update in your region, when the storm is in your area, and what to do when Hurricane Francine leaves your place. Let’s understand how to enhance safety and security with good planning:

What to Do Before the Catastrophe of Hurricane Francine?

• Find out whether you reside near the Gulf or Coasts. Contact local authorities if you live in a hurricane evacuation area.
• Gather emergency equipment, such as flashlights and storm shutters.
• Create an emergency plan with your family and friends.
• Review your insurance policy coverage benefits against residential or commercial property.
• Track the weather forecast news to know Hurricane Francine update.

What to do when Hurricane Francine Approaches?

• Listen to local authorities to follow their evacuation messages. If they order for evacuation, leave the place immediately.
• If you fail to evacuate, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or the lowest part of your building.
• Stay away from skylights, windows, power lines, or wires.
• Contact FEMA or the Red Cross Society to seek emergency HELP. 

What to do when Hurricane Francine Leaves the Area?

• Continue listening to local news updates.
• Listen to the NOAA satellite weather radio.
• Return home only when officials confirm everything is safe.
• Avoid flooded roads and damaged bridges.
• Walk carefully outside your home; loose power wires, structural damage, and gas leaks can be devastating. 
• Connect with property claims adjusters to get your insurance claim on time

FAQs

• What category is Hurricane Francine?

Hurricane Francine is a moderately strong tropical cyclone. It was first spotted on the Atlantic Coast in August as a category one tropical storm. But, on September 10, the cyclone’s violence surpassed all its limits and it moved into Category 2. 

• Where is Hurricane Francine? 

Hurricane Francine has gone away right now. But, it brutally damaged coastal areas or cities i.e. Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida Panhandle, and Louisiana.

• Where is hurricane Francine headed?

It started from the Gulf of Mexico and headed to Louisiana. This unprecedented crisis led to the evacuation of homes in Louisiana. But, currently, it is not active in the United States of America. Forecasters are closely tracking its signs but still, have not detected any visible signs. 

• Where is Hurricane Francine now?

Hurricane Francine has left the coastal areas and gulfs. It has stopped right now. Workplaces, schools, and other places have started to reopen. The homeowners need to reach out to the property loss attorney for the fair and prompt hurricane damage claim settlement.

• What government resources are available for Hurricane Francine victims?

FEMA, the Red Cross Society, and local government authorities voluntarily serve Hurricane Francine victims.