NEW ORLEANS, Sept 12 (Askume) – Hurricane Francine slammed into southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Alabama on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region while triggering dangerous flooding along the Gulf Coast.
The storm has weakened from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical depression as it moves northeast, but it still has sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and gusts of 50 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a report. These areas are at risk for dangerous storms early Thursday morning.
About 6.6 million people are affected by a tropical storm warning issued by the National Weather Service, with up to two inches of rain expected to fall per hour across the region Thursday morning. Overall, some locations could receive up to 10 inches of rain before the storm abates, the department said.
It is expected to weaken further into a post-tropical cyclone during the day, the centre said.
The storm knocked out power to about 450,000 homes and businesses in the tri-state area and forced dozens of people to be rescued from flooding.
More than two dozen people, including young children, were rescued from rising floodwaters in Lafourche Parish, south of New Orleans, on Wednesday night, according to an online report from the local sheriff’s office.
New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter neighborhood, known for its tourist bars and restaurants, was closed off on Wednesday with a police presence and few pedestrians.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and US President Joe Biden have declared a state of emergency to provide emergency management resources in response to the storm and possible financial assistance if severe damage occurs.
