Hurricane Francine is anticipated to make landfall in Louisiana today

Hurricane Francine is anticipated to make landfall in Louisiana this afternoon or evening. After landfall, the center is expected to move northward across Mississippi on Thursday and Thursday night.

The storm has maximum sustained winds near 150 km/h with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible this morning.

Francine will bring heavy rain across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night. Rainfall amounts of 100 to 200 mm, with local amounts of 300 mm. This rainfall could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding.

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

There is the possibility of a few tornadoes today and tonight across parts of southeast Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.

Swells generated by Francine are affecting much of the northern and northwestern Gulf Coast.