In a concerning development, Hurricane Francine has set its sights on the coast of Louisiana, including the greater New Orleans area, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center. As it crosses over warm waters in the western Gulf of Mexico, the storm has rapidly intensified and reached hurricane status on Tuesday night. With maximum sustained winds of approximately 90 mph and higher gusts, Francine poses a significant threat to the region.

As of 1 p.m. CT, Francine was located about 95 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana, moving towards the northeast at a speed of 16 mph. The hurricane center predicts that Francine is expected to make landfall in Louisiana later this afternoon or evening. The storm surge, combined with high tide, has the potential to cause water levels to rise 5 to 10 feet above ground in areas spanning from Louisiana's Intracoastal City and Vermilion Bay to Port Fourchon.

The impact of Hurricane Francine has already begun to be felt, with the storm's outer bands of rain hitting Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and other areas in southern Louisiana throughout Wednesday morning. An oil platform north of the storm's center reported a peak gust of 105 mph, highlighting the powerful force of the hurricane.

To ensure the safety of residents, several parishes along the coast have issued mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders, warning of potential flooding, high winds, and other destructive effects of the storm. Iberia Parish has even implemented a curfew from 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday.

A hurricane warning is now in effect for a significant stretch of Louisiana's coast, ranging from Vermilion and Cameron parishes to Grand Isle, south of New Orleans. The metropolitan New Orleans area remains under a hurricane watch, indicating the possibility of experiencing hurricane conditions within the next 24 hours. Storm surge alerts have also been issued for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, where rainfall totals could range from 4 to 12 inches.

The National Hurricane Center has emphasized the potential danger posed by the storm surge, particularly along the immediate coast and east of the landfall location, where it will be accompanied by large and hazardous waves. The center has urged residents to complete all necessary preparations promptly and be prepared to stay in a safe place overnight.

While the risks associated with Hurricane Francine are significant, there is some positive news in the forecast. Forecasters expect the storm to not intensify significantly before reaching the shore. Furthermore, they anticipate that conditions near the coast will cause drier air to surround the southern portion of Francine, limiting the storm's potential for continued strengthening upon landfall.

In terms of flood risk, forecasters believe that Louisiana's system of levees, designed to reduce damage from hurricanes and storms, should be able to withstand the storm's floodwaters. However, there is a possibility that water levels could reach the top of some local levees, warranting caution.

While Francine is projected to rapidly weaken and move into Mississippi by Thursday, experts caution against complacency. The storm still holds considerable power and the potential for dangerous flash flooding and urban flooding. State climatologist Jay Grymes stressed the need to monitor the situation closely, highlighting the extensive impact that Francine could have on south-central and southeastern Louisiana.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, President Biden declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on Tuesday, approving Gov. Jeff Landry's request to expedite the allocation of aid and resources to the state.

Residents in the path of Hurricane Francine are encouraged to stay updated through member station WWNO's ongoing coverage and take necessary steps to prepare for the storm.