Storm surge and flooding are threatened as Francine nears the US Gulf Coast

Forecasters say Francine could produce life-threatening storm surge and dangerous flash flooding in coastal parts of Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi as it approaches the Gulf Coast.

AccuWeather forecasters say the shallow continental shelf makes the Gulf Coast “extremely vulnerable to storm surge.

The weather service is forecasting the threat of 6-10 feet of storm surge in coastal areas of Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Francine officially formed Monday morning in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Francine is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 74-95 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale before landfall on Wednesday.

“Extremely warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico are acting as rocket fuel for a developing storm,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. “We are concerned that Francine will continue to intensify as it moves north,” Porter explained. “This storm will experience some disruptive wind shear, but it will also move through an area of ​​very warm water and a lot of upwelling in the atmosphere. which can help it intensify.”

While wind shear will increase along the northern Gulf Coast as Francine approaches, near-record sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content could allow for rapid strengthening before landfall, according to AccuWeather.

Forecasters are forecasting wind gusts between 60 and 80 mph in parts of south and central Louisiana. An area of ​​wind gusts of 80 to 100 mph is expected in the area where Francine will make landfall.

With the threat of a storm surge, the weather service is warning people along the Gulf Coast to be prepared for the threat of flash flooding.

“This region is already wet and saturated from the heavy rains of the last few weeks. Flash floods can happen very quickly,” Porter warned. “The risk of flash flooding will extend well inland as Francine moves northeastward into the Mississippi Valley later this week.”

Forecasters are forecasting 4-8 inches of rainfall through Friday in coastal areas of Texas, coastal and central Louisiana, and western Mississippi.

Forecasters say Francine could even reach major hurricane status as a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale as it moves over pockets of extremely warm water in the Gulf.

Forecasters also say isolated tornadoes embedded in rainbands are possible east of the storm’s track, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as well as Jackson, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama.