HLSLCH This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas **FRANCINE EXPECTED TO MOVE INLAND LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and Upper St. Mary - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Lower St. Martin, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Martin, and Upper Vermilion - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for East Cameron - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Lafayette, Northern Acadia, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Southern Acadia, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jefferson Davis, St. Landry, and West Cameron * STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles south-southeast of Cameron LA or about 150 miles southwest of Morgan City LA - 28.0N 92.7W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Francine is expected to maintain hurricane strength while moving northeast this morning, and will impact portions of south central Louisiana today and tonight. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts across Vermilion, Iberia, and St. Mary Parishes. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across south central Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across Acadiana. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across south central Louisiana. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across Acadiana. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across Lower Acadiana. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Central Louisiana. Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Lake Charles LA around 5PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.