A long series of cities in southern Louisiana, in the southeastern United States (USA), are facing the threat of severe flooding and widespread power outages this Wednesday due to heavy rains and strong winds left in its wake by Francine, which made landfall this afternoon in the state as a Category 2 hurricane.
The cyclone, the fourth of the Atlantic season, entered the United States through the city of Terrebonne.about 45 kilometers south-southwest of Morgan City, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour).
The biggest fear from Francine, now downgraded to a Category 1, is the storm surge it is generating in its wake, which could raise sea levels up to 10 feet (3 meters) above their usual level and flood coastal areas of Louisiana or even neighboring Texas, the group reports. Efe.
Shortly after making landfall, Francine dumped torrential rain on New Orleans and raised water levels in rivers and lakes in coastal communities, increasing the risk of flooding, according to local television.
Furthermore, power outages in Louisiana immediately exceeded 260,000 hours just after the impact, according to the specialist site. Power outageAccording to the digital media, the power outages are particularly affecting counties in southeastern Louisiana, close to the area where the hurricane made landfall.
Storm surge
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned in a statement that the storm surge could be “life-threatening,” particularly because of the hurricane-force winds and heavy rains it is dumping in parts of southern Louisiana.
To the relief of residents in areas near the dams, NHC experts noted that The storm surge is not expected to pose a threat to the canal’s protection system.even if “some overflow of local dikes is possible”.
In one of its latest bulletins published Wednesday evening, the National Hurricane Center explained that the cyclone would transform into a post-tropical storm in the coming hours.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency. to facilitate the distribution of aid and resources and thus assist those affected by Francine.
“We are at H-hour when the hurricane is going to make its impact in Louisiana (…) We are ready to respond to what Francine brings us. Now is the time to stay home and stay put,” Landry said in his last press conference before the hurricane’s arrival.
The state National Guard has been ordered to assist areas that could be most affected by Francine with food and water, 400 vehicles designed to overcome high waters, nearly 100 boats and about 50 helicopters.
For her part, Sharon Weston Broome, mayor-president of the municipality of East Baton Rouge, in southeastern Louisiana, issued a “disaster emergency declaration” on Wednesday, while schools and local government offices in the district will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Power lines
As Louisiana residents seek shelter from Francine, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Keith Turi warned of the potential dangers of the weather event.
“What many people don’t realize is that some of the most dangerous times are in the hours after a storm hits.in the event of major floods or downed power lines or even running a generator” without doing so safely and far from home, Turi warned. ABC News.
Some tornadoes are possible tonight in parts of southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, areas that are within the hurricane’s range.
Francine is the tenth hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana since 2000.and the third to do so in Terrebonne. So far, four hurricanes have formed during the Atlantic season – which began June 1 and ends November 30 – alongside Beryl, Debby and Ernesto.
