Hurricane Francine (2024) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hurricane Francine

Francine near peak intensity while approaching Louisiana on September 11
Meteorological history
Formed	September 9, 2024
Category 2 tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	100 mph (155 km/h)
Lowest pressure	972 mbar (hPa); 28.70 inHg
Overall effects
Damage	Unknown
Areas affected	Eastern Mexico, Gulf Coast of the United States (particularly Texas and Louisiana)
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Francine is an active tropical cyclone that is impacting Louisiana in September 2024. The sixth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, its formation brought the end to a significant quiet period in tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic. Originating from a tropical wave that was initially spotted in the central Atlantic by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in late August, the disturbance that eventually became Francine began gradually organizing on September 7 as it exited the Yucatan Peninsula and entered the Bay of Campeche. The disturbance consolidated further and was designated by the NHC as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six on September 8. The next day, it was upgraded to tropical storm status and was named Francine by the NHC.

Meteorological history

On August 26, the NHC noted that a low-pressure area could form in the Central Tropical Atlantic. Two days later, they began tracking a tropical wave producing disorganized showers. Initially, showers from the wave were a bit more concentrated along its axis, becoming more organized by August 31. However, an unfavorable environment for development caused the wave to become disorganized. Several days later, on September 7, the wave crossed into the Bay of Campeche, becoming a low-pressure area the next day. As a result, a few hours later, it was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Six at 21:00 UTC on September 8. Higher wind gusts in the system were enhanced by a barrier jet near the Sierra Madre Oriental. Early the next day, the disturbance intensified into Tropical Storm Francine. The nascent storm slowly moved northwest over the next day close to the Mexico–United States border before beginning to move more to the northeast due to a ridge of high pressure over the state of Florida. Steady intensification ensued, with Francine becoming a hurricane at 03:00 UTC September 11.

Beginning to accelerate northeast towards the Gulf Coast of the United States, an eyewall began developing, even as wind shear began to increase and environmental conditions worsened. Despite this, a ragged eye developed on satellite imagery later that morning, leading to Francine eventually peaking as a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb (28.7 inHg) at 21:00 UTC that day. Shortly after that, Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana at 22:00 UTC. Rapid weakening began after the hurricane made landfall, and at 03:00 UTC on September 12, Francine weakened into a tropical storm.

Preparations

Mexico

Tropical storm watches were issued from Barra del Tordo to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Other parts of Northeast Mexico were placed under tropical storm warning. Tamaulipas shut down schools in Matamoros, San Fernando, and Valle Hermoso.

United States

ExxonMobil and Shell canceled operations in the Gulf of Mexico and evacuated their employees. Amtrak suspended service to New Orleans from September 11-14.

Texas

South Texas was placed under a tropical storm warning as Francine approached. Galveston County raised their emergency management facility's level to two. Governor Greg Abbott mobilized water rescue teams.

Louisiana

Hurricane warnings were issued from Sabine Pass to Morgan City. Louisiana was placed under a state of emergency by the governor. The governor also sent 2,300 guardsmen of the Louisiana National Guard to parishes that were likely to be affected. Several school districts in Louisiana closed in preparation for Francine. Mandatory evacuations were issued for Grand Isle, Lafitte, and Barataria. Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Washington Parishes issued curfews. St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes raised their floodgates. Iberia Parish and Baton Rouge distributed sandbags.

Louis Armstrong International Airport canceled all flights. Five USPS locations were shut down. Port Fourchon, a major supplier of offshore oil producers, and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port were closed.

Elsewhere

The coast of Mississippi and Alabama was placed under a tropical storm warning. Governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves issued a declaration of a state of emergency. Jackson, Mississippi, set up a shelter in the police training academy. Several schools in the state were closed for Francine.

Impact

Mexico

Several areas in Matamoros flooded from 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain; aid from the Mexican Government was requested as a result. Water pumps were set up across the city.

United States

Exports out to the Gulf of Mexico were disrupted as a result of Francine.

Texas

By September 9, Port O'Connor was experiencing flooding conditions.

Louisiana

Francine made landfall near Southern Louisiana in Terrebonne Parish with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) at 22:00 UTC on September 11. A tornado warning was issued for Plaquemines Parish. In the Southeastern part of the state, over 200,000 were without power. Francine's winds downed numerous trees and power lines, which resulted in blocked roads. Numerous streets sustained flooding as a result of heavy rainfall.

Aftermath

Mexico

Plans DN-III and Tamaulipas were initiated to provide aid to areas affected by Francine.

See also

• Other storms of the same name
• Weather of 2024
• Tropical cyclones in 2024
• List of Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes
• List of Louisiana hurricanes (2000–present)