Here is an update with the latest on Tropical Storm Francine.
· Francine is now a Tropical Storm with sustained winds near 70 mph.
· All of the area is under a Tropical Storm warning, this includes replacing the Hurricane Warning.
· Francine is now a Tropical Storm and made landfall in southwestern Terrebonne Parish
· It will continue to move to the northeast through the overnight hours
· Areas along and north of I-12 currently dealing with the worst impacts
· Wind and rain should gradually improve along and south of I-10 shortly after midnight
· Additional widespread rainfall totals of 1-4" are forecast through tomorrow, with most rain before sunrise. Locally higher amounts remain possible. With saturated soils from recent heavy rains, this could quickly lead to ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas and scattered areas of flash flooding.
· Based on the current rainfall forecast, minor flooding is now forecast along several area rivers from the north shore through the Mississippi coast. However, forecasts will continue to change (and could change significantly) depending on exactly where the heaviest rain falls.
· Moderate to life-threatening coastal flooding is still expected through high tide. Some low lying roads, lots and access routes will likely flood, with the greatest impacts through Thursday morning. While there is no threat to the federal levee systems, some lower local levees may be overtopped and areas outside of the levees could experience life-threatening flooding and become cut off. The highest water levels are generally expected west of Port Fourchon. Water levels will be slow to recede Thursday.
· Isolated sustained winds with numerous gusts of Tropical Storm strength for most of the region will continue through the night. Impacts from damaging winds could include scattered to widespread power outages, as well as damage to trees, mobile homes, and some roofs. Damage will be most concentrated where Francine's center tracks.
· A few tornadoes are still possible through early Thursday morning.