More evacuations for Louisiana parishes
Mandatory evacuations were issued for Lafourche and Plaquemines parishes on Louisiana's coast today.
In Lafourche, evacuations will begin at 5 p.m. They are mandatory for residents "in a FEMA or State Housing Units and South of the Leon Theriot Locks" and voluntary for those in the Lower Bayou Blue Community and Eagle Island Road and anyone in a mobile home, according to the parish website.
In Plaquemines, mandatory evacuations started at 7 a.m. in seven areas and will begin at 2 p.m. for the communities of Eastbank and Venice north to Alliance.
More than 100K sandbags deployed in south Mississippi
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency deployed more than 100,000 sandbags in south Mississippi this morning in preparation for Francine.
The agency also shared a list of locations where residents can find sandbags.
Power outages expected in Texas; impacts already being felt in the South, officials said
Power outages are expected to affect Texas as Francine travels closer to the Gulf Coast, officials said.
Gov. Greg Abbott said at a news briefing this afternoon that he expects power providers to be prepared for potential outages, adding that CenterPoint's response to outages during Hurricane Beryl were "unacceptable."
"We know that even with the greatest preparation, winds can sometimes cause power lines to fall to the ground," Abbott said. "When that happens, we fully expect power companies to be prepared in advance to restore those power lines in a matter of hours, not in a matter of days."
Abbott said the state's response to the coming storm "has already been robust," with resources deployed to areas expected to be affected, including water rescue teams, food and water. The National Guard is also on standby, he said.
Heavy rain and storm surge have started to affect state highways in the Lower Rio Grande area in South Texas, said Marc Williams, executive director of the state Transportation Department.
Williams warned residents to be aware of their surroundings and not to drive into floodwaters.
"Also, be aware of potential for downed power lines," he said. "Having that awareness is critical, especially if you’re going to potentially be out on the road."
Workers close floodgates along the Harvey Canal
Baton Rouge residents collect sandbags ahead of landfall
Residents in Baton Rouge were collecting sandbags at Cadillac Street Park in preparation for Francine's landfall.
Jynita Christmas hopes the storm and any potential damage are limited.
"Hopefully, it doesn’t do too much to us," Christmas said. "I’m hopeful that is what it is, just a lot of rain and wind."
Christmas said she's concerned the rain may cause flooding.
"When it rains a little bit, the area I stay in, it kind of floods," she said.
Christmas said she'd been up since 7 a.m. making trips to the grocery store and trying to find sandbags to help prepare her home.
Tropical Storm Francine likely to strengthen to hurricane later today
Tropical Storm Francine is likely to strengthen to a hurricane later today or tonight before it makes landfall in Louisiana tomorrow.
"On the forecast track, Francine is anticipated to be just offshore of the coasts of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas through this afternoon, and then move across the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, making landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday," the hurricane center said. "After landfall, the center is expected to move into Mississippi on Wednesday night or Thursday."
Francine is expected to bring 4 to 12 inches of rain and damaging winds to Louisiana. A few tornadoes are also possible tomorrow morning near the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, the hurricane center said in an update this morning.
The storm is about 120 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. It's moving north-northeastward at 8 mph across the Gulf of Mexico.
A hurricane warning is still in effect for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass east to Grand Isle. A storm surge warning has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River east to the Mississippi and Alabama border.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Mississippi coast from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi-Alabama border, according to the hurricane center.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declares state of emergency
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency ahead of Francine's forecast landfall in the state tomorrow.
Francine is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before it makes landfall in the state, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is expected to bring 4 to 12 inches of rain to the state, as well as damaging winds and a few potential tornadoes, tomorrow morning near the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, the hurricane center said in an update this morning.
“This State of Emergency will allow parishes statewide to have the resources to help protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana," Landry said in a statement, adding that his administration will stay in contact with local officials and first responders.
LSU closes campus ahead of Francine's landfall
Louisiana State University announced that its campus will be closed today and classes will be held remotely tomorrow and Thursday.
The university had said it would remain open today, but it released an updated statement announcing the campus closure. All events on campus starting at 4:30 p.m. today will also be canceled through to Thursday.
Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall on the Louisiana coast tomorrow as a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. LSU is in Baton Rouge, near the coast, and it is forecast to get tropical storm conditions.
"LSU residence halls and on-campus apartments will remain open and food will be available to on-campus residents," LSU said in a statement. It also advised students living on campus to be ready to shelter in place and students living off campus to gather emergency supplies and consider safer shelter if needed.
More coastal communities in Louisiana ordered to evacuate
Another part of low-lying, coastal Louisiana has told its residents to leave ahead of Tropical Storm Francine, which is due to hit the state tomorrow as a Category 1 hurricane.
Terrebonne Parish, south of Baton Rouge, with a population of more than 100,000, issued an emergency declaration this morning and told people to leave the area by no later than 6 a.m. tomorrow.
The area is famous for its Cajun culture and use of Louisiana French.
Francine expected to intensify to Category 2 hurricane as it approaches Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Francine is expected to intensify into a Category 2 hurricane as it rapidly moves toward the northern Gulf Coast and Louisiana. NBC News’ Bill Karins gives the latest update on wind speeds and flooding potential.