by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:15 AM ET, Thu September 12, 2024
Update: September 12, 2024, at 8:05 a.m. ET
Now a tropical depression, Francine made landfall in Louisiana
on Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing wind gusts up to 78 miles per
hour and more than eight inches of rain in the New Orleans metro area.
According to Accuweather,
Francine will continue to weaken as it moves over the southern United States,
bringing flooding rain and tornado threats into late week from the
lower-Mississippi Valley to Georgia.
On Thursday, a tornado watch is in effect for southeast
Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
As for flight disruptions, 3,338 delays within, into, or out
of the U.S. were reported yesterday, with another 319 flights canceled. As of
Thursday morning, at 8 a.m. ET, 459 flights have been delayed and 140 have been
canceled, according to FlightAware.
For cruise travelers, the Port of New Orleans was closed
Wednesday and will reopen at noon on Thursday, weather and terminal conditions
permitting. Carnival Valor is one of the only ships impacted by the storm, with
Carnival Cruise Line saying the vessel
will be delayed coming back to New Orleans.
Update: September 11, 2024, at 7:45 a.m. ET
Francine strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday
night and is heading toward Louisiana with an expected landfall Wednesday
afternoon into the evening.
According to Weather.com,
dangerous storm surge, flooding rainfall, damaging winds and tornadoes will
impact Louisiana and other parts of the Gulf Coast and South. The hurricane is
packing maximum sustained winds of around 90 miles per hour.
A hurricane warning is in effect along the Louisiana coast
from Cameron to Grand Isle, a storm surge warning has been issued from Cameron,
Louisiana, to the Mississippi-Alabama border, and tropical storm warnings cover
much of the rest of the northern Gulf Coast.
Airlines and cruise lines are monitoring the storm, with Carnival
Cruise Line saying that operational plans for Carnival Valor’s September
12 voyage could be changed. Guests and travel advisor partners are
encouraged to monitor text and email advisories.
Air carriers in the United States have waived change fees
for those traveling to or from impacted airports, and FlightAware.com is
showing that some flights in New Orleans, Houston and other markets in
Hurricane Francine’s projected path have already been canceled.
Original Text
The Gulf Coast of the United States is preparing for Tropical
Storm Francine, which is forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday.
According to Weather.com,
Francine is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane, with winds reaching 100 miles
per hour by Tuesday night. Landfall is expected in Louisiana between Cameron
and Morgan City as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday.
Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for parts of
Louisiana and Texas from Tuesday night into Wednesday, with flash flooding and
storm surge becoming a major concern for areas in the path of the approaching storm.
Francine will make her way to the Mississippi River Valley by Thursday.
Airports in the impacted region have not started canceling
or delaying flights, but the airlines serving the Gulf Coast—including American,
Delta, Southwest and United—are issuing travel advisories and waiving change fees
for affected travelers.
Airports in cities dealing with possible implications of
Francine include Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Corpus Christi and
Houston, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama.
As for the cruise industry, the storm could impact operations
out of the Port of Galveston and the Port of New Orleans. While the latter’s website
says the Louisiana port remains
open, the Port of Galveston has suspended inbound vessel traffic.
There are several Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean
International ships currently sailing or scheduled
to sail in the Gulf of Mexico over the coming days. Itinerary changes are
possible, and travelers should monitor the weather and contact their cruise
line before heading to Galveston or New Orleans.
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