With fierce winds, Hurricane “Francine” strikes the US state of Louisiana
Hurricane “Francine,” a Category 2 storm, made landfall Wednesday evening in the state of Louisiana, located on the southeastern coast of the United States, according to an announcement from the National Hurricane Center.
In a bulletin issued at 10:00 PM GMT, the center reported that “heavy rain and hurricane-force winds are spreading inland across southern Louisiana,” according to AFP.
The center noted that “wind speeds accompanying Hurricane Francine are estimated at 155 km/h, making it a Category 2 storm on a 5-level escalating scale,” urging residents to take shelter “indoors and away from windows.”
Even before the hurricane reached land, heavy rains began falling along the coast in the Mississippi Strait area.
Authorities have warned that the hurricane could bring rainfall of up to 30 centimeters in some areas, potentially causing flash floods, including in cities.
New Orleans, the major city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, may also be affected by Francine.
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The sea level has begun rising along the coast, and the National Hurricane Center predicts that this rise could temporarily reach 3 meters.
In Louisiana, local authorities have issued evacuation orders in several areas.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the state, a move that allows federal authorities to allocate funds to assist local governments.
