Hurricane tracker: Francine has been downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall in Louisiana

The recent meteorological event, Hurricane Francine, has transitioned from a hurricane to a tropical storm following its landfall in Louisiana. This downgrade is significant as it reflects the storm's diminishing intensity and potential impact on the affected regions. When hurricanes make landfall, they typically encounter friction with land surfaces and cooler temperatures, which can weaken their structure. Francine's trajectory and subsequent weakening are consistent with established patterns observed in previous storms that have interacted with coastal environments .

The implications of such downgrades are multifaceted. While a tropical storm still poses risks—including heavy rainfall, flooding, and sustained winds—the immediate threat level decreases compared to that of a hurricane. Residents of Louisiana must remain vigilant as the transition does not eliminate hazards entirely; rather, it alters their nature and scale. Emergency management agencies often adjust their preparedness strategies in response to such changes in storm classification, focusing on flood mitigation rather than wind damage

The storm came ashore in Terrebonne Parish, around 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, with maximum sustained winds of around 100 mph.

"Heavy rains and hurricane-force winds are spreading inland across southern Louisiana," meteorologists wrote in an advisory. "Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows."

Forecasters have warned of "life-threatening storm surge" from Francine as the tempest makes its way inland.

Every storm is unique, but our history with storm restoration is a guide to predicting the amount of damage and restoration time following a hurricane. Before a hurricane makes landfall, we make estimates on restoration timelines based on the category, intensity, size and track of the storm. As we know, major hurricanes can cause extended outage restoration times. While the majority of customers may be restored quicker, some of the hardest hit areas could take longer dependent on the extent of damage to Entergy’s electrical facilities.

Francine drew fuel from exceedingly warm Gulf of Mexico waters to jump from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday night. The National Hurricane Center says Francine might reach Category 2 strength before making landfall along the Louisiana coast.

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Sarah H

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