The National Hurricane Center says little change is expected in the strength of Category One Hurricane Francine before she makes landfall. Maximum sustained winds are at 90 and the latest track shows a path running between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says we’re fortunate that Francine is fast moving. Cut 29 (12) …Weaken Rapidly

St. John the Baptist Parish has seen its fair share of damage from previous hurricanes. Parish president Jaclyn Hotard says her biggest concern with Francine is flooding…

Cut 12 (09) “…heavy rainfall.”

Officials in New Orleans have ordered a shelter in place that began at eleven o’clock this morning. They are asking the public to stay off the roads for their safety and to leave roadways clear for emergency and storm responders.

Hurricane Francine started to develop over the weekend and officially became a named storm on Monday. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele believes most residents along the coast are prepared…

Cut 4 (11) “…works.”

Francine is expected to make landfall in southeast Louisiana late this afternoon. Governor Jeff Landry urges the public not to relax, because it’s just a Cat 1 storm. A category one storm can have maximum sustained winds up to 95 miles per hour.

Attorney Liz Murrill is reminding everyone that price gouging is a crime and she says Louisiana takes it seriously…

Cut 9 (07)  “…enforce the law.”

The National Hurricane Center has released the latest on Category One Hurricane Francine. Maximum sustained winds are at 90 mph moving northeast at 13 mph. Little change in strength is expected before landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. The latest track shows a path running between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

As Hurricane Francine makes landfall later today in St. Mary or Terrebonne parish. It will certainly produce power outages. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele says many trees were weakened by last year’s drought and will that lead to more limbs and trees falling on power lines???

Cut 3 (12) “…or whatever.”

Governor Jeff Landry announced the White House has approved the Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana covering Hurricane Francine related emergency measures. Landry says he appreciates President Biden’s quick approval of his request.

The rush to prepare for this storm has led to some empty gas pumps.  GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says if drivers see empty pumps, don’t worry supply is on the way…

Cut 6 (05) …with a handle over it.”

De Haan says he expects gas prices to continue to decrease over the new few weeks.

The attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for price gougers. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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.

The latest National Hurricane Center update shows Francine a category one hurricane with max sustained winds of 90 mph but she continues to strengthen moving northeast slightly faster at 12mph. Francine is expected to briefly intensify to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph before making Landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. The latest track shows a path through the Baton Rouge metro area and an eastward shift will bring more to New Orleans. She is expected to weaken quickly as Francine moves Northeastward through the state.

Local leaders in the cities and parishes in the path of the storm say they’re ready. In Morgan City, where Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore is taking up temporary residence, Mayor Lee Dragna says the city has greatly improved equipment needed to drain the city.

Cut 13 (09)  “…pump station now.”

In Terrebonne Parish, President Jason Bergeron has called from a mandatory evacuation for all Coastal areas Zone 1

Cut 26

In Lafourche Parish a curfew is set from noon today until sunrise Thursday.

As Francine approaches the Louisiana coast, drivers are encountering increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines, with residents topping off tanks and filling gas containers for generators in anticipation of power outages.  GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says don’t worry…

Cut 4 (09) “…those gas stations.”

Storms like Francine can not only bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst in people. That’s the message of Attorney General Liz Murrill, who warns that price gouging is illegal.

Cut 7 (12) “…during the storm.”

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 90 mph and continues its northeastward movement.

Tuesday Francine drifted more east but National Weather Service Meteorologist Hannah Lisney says she does not expect any additional significant shift in the path.

Cut 10 (12) “…at this point.”

In Terrebonne (TARE-ah-bone) Parish, President Jason Bergeron (BAA-zher-on) says if the storm passes to the east, that would be very good news.

Cut 14 (09) “…top of us.”

Lafourche Parish will be enforcing a curfew from noon today until sunrise Thursday.

Francine’s current track is expected take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to stay off the roads as not to interfere with rescue and recovery operations.

Cut 16 (12)   “…respond to emergencies.”

Tangipahoa Parish has opened shelters of last resort in Robert at Restoration Church, in Amite at Amite Community Center, and in the Village of Tangipahoa at Brown’s Chapel.

The attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for price gougers. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry announced the White House has approved the Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana covering Hurricane Francine related emergency measures. Landry says he appreciates President Biden’s quick approval of his request.

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 90 mph and continues its northeastward movement.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Cameron Louisiana to the Mississippi Coast. Storm surge is expected to be five to ten feet.

Local leaders in the cities and parishes in the path of the storm say they’re ready. In Morgan City, where Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore is taking up temporary residence, Mayor Lee Dragna says they’ve been preparing for Francine’s arrival for a while now.

Cut 12 (07) “…everywhere we look.”

The 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.”

Francine is bringing increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 95 mph and continues its northeastward movement. In St. Mary Parish, city and parish leaders say they’re ready for Francine’s arrival. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana’s coast from Cameron to Grand Isle remains under a Hurricane warning with life threatening storm surge from five to ten feet and hurricane force winds expected.

In Lafourche Parish, a curfew will be enacted at noon today and end at Sunrise Thursday morning.

Francine strengthened to Hurricane Tuesday evening and throughout the day yesterday, Francine’s path shifted more and more to the east but National Weather Service Meteorologist Hannah Lisney says she does not expect any additional significant shift in the path.

Cut 10 (12) “…at this point.”

In anticipation of Francine’s arrival, Tangipahoa Parish is opening three shelters of last resort locations — in Robert, at Restoration Church, in Amite at Amite Community Center, and in the Village of Tangipahoa at Brown’s Chapel.

Storms like Francine can not only bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst in people. That’s the message of Attorney General Liz Murrill, who warns that price gouging is illegal.

Cut 7 (12) “…during the storm.”

According to the latest from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Francine has maximum sustained winds at 65 MPH and continues its northeast trek at 10 MPH. It is expected to make landfall tomorrow as a category 1 or possibly stronger hurricane. The current track will take the eye of Francine directly over Baton Rouge and will also put more of the New Orleans metro area, including Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, on the bad side of the storm.

Lafourche Parish is bracing for Francine, drawing on lessons learned from Hurricane Ida’s devastating impact. As of 5 PM parts of the parish deemed at high risk are under a mandatory evacuation order. Parish President Archie Chaisson says in response to Ida, the parish has improved its emergency response plans, strengthened communication channels, and enhanced coordination with state and federal agencies as well as water and power…

Cut 11 (08) “…hoping for the best.”

The parish is anticipating anywhere from 5 to 10 feet of storm surge, and it plans to close the flood gates.

State Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says most nursing homes are sheltering in place during the storm. One Vermillion Parish home evacuated to a Mansfield facility earlier. Dr. Abraham says the Mega Center in Central Louisiana is getting ready in case it’s needed.

Cut 15 (09) “…has that discretion.”

The Louisiana National Guard is getting in place to help with any post-storm needs. Major General Thomas Friloux (FREE-low):

Cut 12 (11) “…search and rescue.”

General Friloux says they’re also stocked with food, water and shelter

With Francine expected to arrive as a hurricane tomorrow evening, Governor Landry is urging everyone to download the Get A Game Plan app. He says the app will deliver vital information immediately.

Cut 16 (09)   “…here in GOHSEP.”

Landry says resources are in place and that state and local agencies are working seamlessly with federal partners. He has asked President Biden to declare a state of emergency for the state, making further federal resources available.

The Louisiana National Guard is readying to help with post-storm needs including search and rescue. Major General Thomas Friloux (FREE-low) says they are prepared to respond with high water vehicles, boats, and helicopters. They’re also stocked with food, water and shelter

Cut 13 (07) “…over 55-thousand tarps” 

Friloux says forces are placed in areas where they will likely be needed the most and will shift their locations should the track shift further prior to landfall.

Entergy has approximately 1600 employees and contractors in Louisiana ready for storm response with almost 3500 more requested including Linemen, tree trimmers, and scouts. They are reminding Louisianans to keep a safe distance from utility crews and work sites also to keep distance from and immediately report downed power lines.

Cleco’s storm restoration plan includes deploying additional line workers, vegetation management teams, and contractors from other regions. Cahill says Cleco is setting up staging areas to house material and supplies, securing housing for out-of-area workers and specialized equipment is on stand-by…

Cut 7 (07) “…after the storm passes.”

State Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says most nursing homes are sheltering in place during the storm.

Cut  14 (11) “..went very seamlessly.”

Officials are getting resources in place ahead of Francine’s arrival in Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The current track will take the eye of Francine directly over Baton Rouge and will also put more of the New Orleans metro area, including Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, on the bad side of the storm. The good news for those living in the Capital Region and other points inland is that Francine is expected to rapidly fall apart once it moves over land.

Another change in the forecast is expected storm surge, now forecast to be as high as ten feet, which LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says is very significant.

Cut 5 (09) “…under these circumstances.”

Lafourche Parish is bracing for Francine, drawing on lessons learned from Hurricane Ida’s devastating impact. At 5 PM A mandatory evacuation order goes into effect for parts of the parish deemed at high risk. Parish President Archie Chaisson says Resources such as sandbags and emergency kits are being distributed to those who need them. Law enforcement and first responders are on high alert, ready to assist in evacuations and provide support as conditions worsen.  Shelters at the Lockport Community Center have been set up for evacuees

Cut 10 (07) “…five o’clock today.”

Cleco is preparing for potential widespread power outages as Francine approaches south Louisiana.  Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill encourages Customers to stay informed through Cleco’s website and social media channels for real-time updates and she reminds residents to prepare for extended outages due to the storm’s intensity and the likelihood of significant damage to power infrastructure.

Cut 8 (07)  “…preparations now.”

Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana are also preparing – setting up staging sites for storm response teams.