Category One Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen briefly to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph before making Landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. A major concern is storm surge, expected between five and ten feet. The latest track shows a path through the Baton Rouge metro area and any eastward shift will bring more to metro New Orleans. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 26 (09) …biggest threat.

Leaders in the path of the storm say they’re ready. Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna says they’ve been preparing for Francine’s arrival for a while now.

Cut 12 (07) “…everywhere we look.”

Dragna says the city has greatly improved equipment needed to drain the city.

Francine’s current track of the storm will take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to take any and all precautions.

Cut 15 (12) “…low-lying areas.”

Cooper is also urging people to stay off the roads as not to interfere with rescue and recovery operations.

Many gas stations are running out of fuel. GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says when so many drivers are attempting to fill up it causes delays and says if residents don’t need fuel there is no need to worry about filling up.  De Haan reminds residents of the best time to fill up if they don’t want to deal with empty pumps and long gas lines…

Cut 5 (11) “…refuel their tanks overnight.”

Motorists are urged to remain patient and stay informed as the storm moves closer.