Mississippians are battening down the hatches as Tropical Storm Francine heads up the coast of Mexico and Texas.
The National Weather Service says of 6 a.m. Tuesday, Francine is expected to become a hurricane today. The storm should grow to a category 2 strength hurricane before landfall along the central Louisiana coast Wednesday afternoon.
Forecasters have Francine possibly holding onto tropical storm conditions as it moves through central Louisiana and southwest Mississippi Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
There is a 30% to 60% chance for tropical storm force winds for central Louisiana parishes and southwest Mississippi counties. The earliest onset of these winds will be Wednesday morning, but the strongest winds are expected as Francine moves north across the forecast area Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Francine will bring an expected four to six inches of rainfall with possible higher amounts to portions of our forecast area. Flooding is likely if this rain falls in a short period of time. The main focus will be Wednesday night into Thursday morning as Francine moves across the forecast area.
Rain bands will bring the threat for possible tornadoes mainly Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
We will update as more information becomes available.
