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Francine live updates: Food and water available at distribution sites

Published September 9, 2024 at 4:23 PM CDT
Stalled cars sit at a flooded intersection in New Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 12,, 2024, the morning after Hurricane Francine hit the city. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill)
Kevin McGill
/
AP
A mangled tree blocks covers part of the street in front of a house in New Orleans' Carrollton neighborhood as Hurricane Francine hit the city with high winds and flooding rain on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill)

Francine weakened to a tropical depression Thursday, after sweeping into the Louisiana coast, and bringing life-threatening storm surge and power outages to the state.

View the latest forecast and track and use this guide to help you stay safe.

Here are the latest updates on the storm.

Hurricane Francine debris collection

Posted September 13, 2024 at 5:34 PM CDT

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is asking residents to place storm debris out for collection as soon as possible.

This includes trees, branches and other leafy material, which must be placed curbside.

Residents are asked to avoid stacking items below low hanging trees or utility lines.

City-Parish crews began assessing storm debris Thursday and will continue throughout the weekend.

Where to get food and water after Francine

Posted September 13, 2024 at 2:59 PM CDT

Food and water is available to those who are still without electricity after Hurricane Francine, which hit Louisiana as a Category 2 storm Wednesday, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness set up six temporary locations to distribute food, water and ice to those affected by the storm.

The following sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the weekend:

  • Terrebonne Civic Center at 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma
  • Montegut Recreation Gym at 107 Recreation Drive, Montegut
  • Little Caillou Ward 7 Citizens Club at 5006 Highway 56, Chauvin
  • Living Word Church at 1916 Louisiana 311, Schriever
  • Bayou Blue Fure Department-Central Station at 1870 Bayou Blue Road, Houma

IRS offers relief to Louisiana taxpayers

Posted September 13, 2024 at 2:40 PM CDT

Louisiana taxpayers will have more time to file their tax returns and make payments as they recover from Francine.

FEMA has issued a declaration that allows the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax payment deadlines for those in the disaster area.

Taxpayers will have until Feb. 3, 2025 to file various federal individual and business tax returns, and make tax payments.

If you reside or have a business in Louisiana, here's what you should know.

New Orleans and Jefferson Parish residents no longer need to conserve water

Posted September 13, 2024 at 12:11 PM CDT

The conservation request has been lifted for the City of New Orleans. Two sewage pumps stopped working during the storm, but the system is functioning again, according to the Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO).

Residents no longer need to conserve water and can resume regular activities such as doing dishes and laundry.

The SWBNO will answer questions about how the system performed at a committee meeting with councilmembers and the public Monday.

The Jefferson Parish sewerage system is also functioning again, and the water conservation notice was lifted.

How to care for your yard after the storm

Posted September 13, 2024 at 9:35 AM CDT

During a big storm, trees tend to topple over. But it’s not just because of the wind.

Rain turns the soil soupy, making it even harder for roots to hold on. The ground was super saturated ahead of Hurricane Francine from recent heavy rainfall, making trees extra vulnerable.

Anna Timmerman, with LSU’s Ag Center, said if you see a tree that could fall or has damage that requires you to climb a ladder with a chainsaw — don’t.

“That's usually a job best left to professional arborists who are licensed and bonded and have insurance to deal with those things,” she said.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has a list of licensed professional arborists on its website. Timmerman said they’ll be busy after Francine, but worth the wait.

You can take care of smaller trees yourself. If they’ve uprooted, stand them back up, stake them and they might be OK. Cut back other damaged plants so they can heal.

A lot of what we tend to grow in Louisiana can handle a lot of rainfall, so your garden will probably be alright, Timmerman said.

If your yard flooded, make sure to throw fruit and vegetables away, she said. Fecal matter and pathogens could be in the water, so you don’t want to eat them.

Most debris cleared from roads in Ascension Parish

Posted September 13, 2024 at 8:51 AM CDT

Ascension Parish officials say most of the debris from Hurricane Francine has been cleared from roads, despite being one of the worst-hit areas around Baton Rouge. The parish’s sheriff’s office received nearly 400 calls during the height of the storm, according to Donovan Jackson, their public information officer.

"One of the biggest issues is that over the last few weeks, it rained a lot, so we have that soft soil that came through, and that wind," Jackson said.

Fallen trees injured two residents and one state trooper, and about a third of homes are still without power in the parish.

"You prepare for the worst and hope for the best and I think we kind of hit it in the middle this go around. It wasn’t the worst but it was definitely strong, and we're fortunate there were no fatal injuries," Jackson added.

New Orleans opens more charging and cooling stations

Posted September 13, 2024 at 8:48 AM CDT

The City of New Orleans opened more recreation centers for people who need access to air conditioning or to charge their phone.

The following centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

Rosenwald Recreation Center (1120 S. Broad St.)

  • Spanish interpretation available
  • Oxygen exchange available

Cutoff Recreation Center (6600 Belgrade St.)

  • Oxygen exchange available

Joe Brown Recreation Center (5601 Read Blvd.)

Treme Recreation Center (900 N. Villere St.)

  • Spanish interpretation available
  • Oxygen exchange available

Residents in need of oxygen outside of those hours can call the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) non-emergency line at 504-821-2222.

What caused unusual flooding in Kenner?

Posted September 12, 2024 at 8:51 PM CDT

Some flooded streets in Jefferson Parish were slow to drain after Hurricane Francine, especially in Kenner.

Pumps there can only handle so much rain — 1 inch in the first hour of a storm and half an inch each hour after that, the same as New Orleans.

Last night, parts of Jefferson saw anywhere from 7 to 12 inches of rain in just a few hours.

“The best way to put it, we were just outpaced with the sheer amount in volume of water that Hurricane Francine dumped on us,” said Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng at a press conference Thursday.

While pumps cleared streets pretty quickly in most parts of the parish, that didn’t happen in Kenner, because many were offline for much of the night, she said.

Mark Drewes, the parish’s director of public works, said they were able to fix their pumps and drain the area around 4:30 a.m.. But pumps at the airport, which are managed by the aviation board, were also out of order, making the problem worse.

At least 100 residents had some amount of water in their homes, from a couple inches to a couple of feet. Officials are still assessing the damage, so the actual count could be much higher.

“We’re gonna need some help,” said Arita Bohannan, who represents Kenner on the parish council.

Bohannan said the city doesn’t have a history of flooding, not even during Hurricane Katrina.

“We flooded for this event,” she said. “We will get to the bottom of it.”

Those with damage asked to fill out survey

Posted September 12, 2024 at 5:24 PM CDT

If you have storm damage, state officials want to know.

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is asking residents to fill out a survey on damage.la.gov.

Officials say the information collected will help parish, state and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of the damage from Francine.

NOHSEP Director Collin Arnold says you can upload photos there too.

And officials are stressing you still need to report damage to your insurance company as well.

Some schools to reopen Friday

Posted September 12, 2024 at 5:01 PM CDT

Many Louisiana school districts and colleges plan to reopen on Friday after Hurricane Francine, but some, like NOLA Public Schools, will remain closed to give district officials more time to assess the damage.

Nicholls State University is still waiting for power to be restored after the hurricane and will remain closed through the weekend.

Here's a running list of K-12 school districts and colleges and their plans.

AG criticizes Orleans sheriff over release of inmates ahead of Francine

Posted September 12, 2024 at 3:05 PM CDT

Louisiana's attorney general Liz Murrill has criticized the release of incarcerated people from New Orleans' jail ahead of Hurricane Francine.

"Releasing a mass amount of prisoners 24 hours before a storm is due to make landfall without discussing or coordinating with state officials is a bad idea,” Murrill said in a statement. “I will work with NOLA officials to prevent this from occurring again."

But the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said 39 people were released from jail before Francine, and most of those releases were routine — they would have happened anyway. Only four people were released because of the storm, and all were being held for minor offenses such as owing fees.

The sheriff's office also said they've communicated with the corrections department, state police, and Murrill.

This isn't the first time Murrill has waded into Orleans Parish justice issues. She recently said she'd review local post-conviction cases that freed people from prison.

Trash pickup resumes in New Orleans

Posted September 12, 2024 at 1:11 PM CDT

The City of New Orleans will resume trash and recycling collection on Thursday. The city said collection will run a day behind schedule for the remainder of the week.

Storm debris collection services will also be active. Residents are encouraged to bag yard debris and bundle branches, and place them curbside for collection.

Charging stations open in New Orleans

Posted September 12, 2024 at 12:59 PM CDT

New Orleans will open four charging and cooling stations, where residents can cool off and charge their devices and/or access WiFi while the power is out.

Residents can visit the following sites between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday.

  • Joe Brown, 5601 Read Blvd.
  • Treme, 900 N. Villere St. 
  • Cut-Off, 6600 Belgrade St. 
  • Rosenwald, 1120 S. Broad St.

A handful of resilience hubs known as “community lighthouses” will also be open Thursday for people who need to charge their phones or get access to air conditioning. More information about the lighthouses is available on togethernola.org.

Baton Rouge largely spared from Francine's wrath, mayor says

Posted September 12, 2024 at 12:03 PM CDT

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome says East Baton Rouge Parish was largely spared from Hurricane Francine. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, about 10,000 people in East Baton Rouge Parish are without power, and over 20 trees are still blocking roads.

Surrounding parishes including Ascension, Livingston, and St. James were hit much worse.

"We have been requested to go to other parishes to assist departments that are in need due to manpower or damage to their cities or municipalities," said East Baton Rouge Fire Chief Michael Kimble.

The mayor is still urging residents to stay off roads as officials clear debris and fix traffic signals. No serious deaths or injuries were reported.

Mutual aid groups are sharing resources, seeking donations

Posted September 12, 2024 at 11:51 AM CDT

Mutual aid groups across Southeast Louisiana are jumping into action after Hurricane Francine left hundreds of thousands without power and many with flood damage.

“We're pretty practiced at this point,” said Klie Klebert, executive director of Imagine Water Works.” We've been around since 2012 and have done all the recent hurricanes that folks remember.”

Imagine Water Works is a mutual aid response network based in New Orleans that fills in the gaps left by local, state and federal agencies when people are affected by major storms. They help provide and connect residents with resources like food, housing and electricity.

For Hurricane Francine, the organization started a community power map to point people without electricity to residential locations, businesses and community organizations offering charging stations — and other relief.

“Those are spots where if you have power, you can share it. If you have Wi-Fi, you can share it, and anybody can come and use it,” Kliebert said.

For more information, visit imaginewaterworks.org, or find the organization on Facebook. Imagine Water Works is also accepting donations to help support people both in and outside of New Orleans who need assistance.

Schools remain closed

Posted September 12, 2024 at 11:13 AM CDT

Many universities across southern Louisiana remain closed or on remote schedules Thursday.

LSU, Southern University and the University of New Orleans have canceled classes until Friday. Tulane, Dillard and Xavier say some remote classes will take place today.

New Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parish K-12 schools cancelled classes Thursday.

The hardest-hit districts in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes have also cancelled classes as they assess wind and water damage.

School leaders say they will communicate with families about reopening plans.

RTA resumes bus service with limited schedule

Posted September 12, 2024 at 10:09 AM CDT

New Orleans’ RTA bus service will return Thursday with a limited schedule, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority said.

RTA will operate limited bus service along the city’s streetcar system until the power returns and conditions are safe.

Paratransit services will offer trips on an as-needed basis, the Transit Authority said. Ferry service remains suspended at this time.

Francine weakens to tropical depression

Posted September 12, 2024 at 9:28 AM CDT

Francine weakened to a tropical depression Thursday morning and is currently spreading heavy rain across Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

The storm swept into Louisiana Wednesday evening as a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds. It dumped over 8 inches of rain in parts of New Orleans, which led to widespread flooding.

Parts of Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes saw 8 to 10 inches of rain, the highest rainfall totals across the region.

No deaths or injuries had been reported as of 9 a.m. CT.

Nearly 400,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana are without power, according to tracking site poweroutage.us.

Francine dumped 10 inches of rain on some areas

Posted September 12, 2024 at 8:23 AM CDT

Hurricane Francine made landfall Wednesday as a Category 2 storm. The highest rainfall totals across the region were 8 to 10 inches. Most of that fell in Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes.

The highest rainfall total in New Orleans was 8.25 inches. In Baton Rouge, it was 3.39 inches.

Megan Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New Orleans said the eye tracked slightly further east than forecasted.

“It generally tracked northeastward over Houma and then kind of wanted to approach the lake,” she said. “It drives a little bit to the east and that kind of allows it to train a little bit longer, with some of the heaviest rainfall, over the south shore areas.”

The lakefront also saw 70 mph winds, but the highest wind speeds were in Du Lac and Cocodrie, which were almost 100 mph.

Nearly 400,000 residents without power Thursday morning

Posted September 12, 2024 at 7:14 AM CDT

The state’s largest utility Entergy says Orleans and Jefferson parishes have the largest numbers of customers without electricity.

Ascension, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes are also seeing widespread issues, according to the utility’s outage map. 

Entergy has nearly 6,000 workers in Louisiana, including over 350 workers in New Orleans. The power company said when it comes to Category 2 hurricanes, historically, most customers get their power back within a week. But it could take up to 10 days in some areas, and each storm is different.

The utility should have a better estimate for its restoration timeline in a few days.

This GIF map of Orleans Parish shows where Entergy customers lost power after Hurricane Francine swept through the region on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and Thursday, September 12, 2024.
Stephan Bisaha
/
Gulf States Newsroom
This GIF map of Orleans Parish shows where Entergy customers lost power after Hurricane Francine swept through the region on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Continuous storm coverage

Posted September 11, 2024 at 11:47 PM CDT

WWNO and WRKF will continue coverage of Francine on air and online Thursday, starting with Morning Edition, which airs at 4 a.m. on 89.9 FM, and at 5 a.m. on 89.3 FM.

Our team of reporters in New Orleans and Baton Rouge will be assessing the damage and storm recovery efforts.

We will also provide an update from Gov. Jeff Landry, who is expected to tour a damaged area in Terrebonne Parish and meet with local authorities. We plan to cover his press conference, which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Tune into 89.9 FM or 89.3 FM for updates and additional information about the storm or visit WWNO.org or WRKF.org.

SWBNO asks residents to conserve water

Posted September 11, 2024 at 11:03 PM CDT

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is asking residents to conserve water as it works to bring the sewer system back to full capacity.

Power outages and other issues strained the city's sewer system as Francine rolled through the area, knocking out electricity at thousands of homes and businesses.

Residents are being told to avoiding using large appliances such as washing machines, and to take shorter showers.

“It is critical that we don’t place added stress on our system as we work to bring it back to full capacity,” said Executive Director Ghassan Korban. “We will be using generators and other equipment to provide additional functionality to support our system. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will continue to provide updates to the public.”

Francine weakens to tropical storm

Posted September 11, 2024 at 10:40 PM CDT

Francine was downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday evening as it moved through Louisiana.

The storm is still bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to the New Orleans area.

The National Hurricane Center discontinued the hurricane watch it issued for Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans. The hurricane warning for the Louisiana coast from Cameron eastward to Grand Isle was downgraded to a tropical storm warning. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings west of Intracoastal City were also discontinued.

AT&T, T-Mobile report 911 outage

Posted September 11, 2024 at 9:54 PM CDT

AT&T and T-Mobile are reporting outages that impacted 911 services in New Orleans as their customers endure the impacts of Francine, which has continued to bring heavy rains and strong winds to Louisiana Wednesday evening.

Customers who need to call 911 can call the emergency backup number at 504-671-3600.

Flash flood emergency issued in New Orleans

Posted September 11, 2024 at 8:55 PM CDT

The National Weather Service office in New Orleans has issued an "exceedingly rare" flash flood emergency for the city and surrounding areas, including Marrero, Estelle, Kenner, Hahnville, Luling, Laplace and Garyville. The emergency will be in effect until 11:45 p.m.

The NWS issues the emergency when "extremely heavy rain is leading to a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage from a flash flood is happening or will happen soon."

This typically happens when first responders report life-threatening water rises, resulting in water rescues or evacuations.

Residents are urged not to travel unless they're fleeing an area subject to flooding.

Nearly 250,000 without power

Posted September 11, 2024 at 8:43 PM CDT

Nearly 250,000 people in Louisiana are without power due to Hurricane Francine, according to the United States Power Outage Map.

Entergy said it could take more than a week to fully restore power to some areas. The utility has nearly 6,000 workers in Louisiana, but they can't fix the grid until after the storm passes.

Here's how you can check the status of your power outage.

St. Mary, Lafourche,Terrebonne officials say levees should protect parishes from 10-foot surge

Posted September 11, 2024 at 8:06 PM CDT

The directors of St. Mary, Lafourche and Terrebonne levee districts feel confident that their levees will protect residents from storm surge caused by Hurricane Francine, which could reach as high as 10 feet in those areas.

Angela Hidalgo, director of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District said the levees in Montegut are about 11 to12 feet high, enough to protect from the surge.

“If that does occur, then I have confidence that my levies will perform,” she said.

Both the St. Mary and South Lafourche districts said they don’t expect to see any water overtopping the levees. South Lafourche’s levees successfully protected the area during Hurricane Ida.

“We definitely expect our levies to perform just as well,” said Nic Matherne, executive director of the South Lafourche Levee District. “We don't anticipate anywhere near the surge levels that we saw for Hurricane Ida.”

All three parishes are starting to see water levels rise. Some roads have been closed in St. Mary and Lafourche.

New Orleans and surrounding areas under flash flood warning

Posted September 11, 2024 at 7:42 PM CDT

A flash flood warning is in effect for New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chackbay, Boutte and Des Allemands until 9:30 p.m. CT, and until 9:45 p.m. CT in LaPlace, Luling and Destrehan.

"Significant flash flooding threat continues as Francine pushes inland. Stay off the roads and continue to shelter in place! We still have a ways to go before we are out of the woods!" the National Weather Service office in New Orleans said in a post on X.

Hurricane Francine makes landfall as Category 2 storm

Posted September 11, 2024 at 5:27 PM CDT

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish as a Category 2 storm, about 30 miles southwest of Morgan City, at 5 p.m., according to the latest update by the National Hurricane Center.

With peak winds of 100 miles per hour, Deputy Director Jamie Rhome says Louisianans should stay in place through the night.

"Conditions are gonna go downhill right now. really rapidly over the next several hours," Rhome said.

Heavy rain and hurricane-force winds are spreading inland across south Louisiana.

Tornado watches in effect

Posted September 11, 2024 at 4:14 PM CDT

Parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. as Hurricane Francine moves inland.

While there are no tornadoes in the area, a watch means conditions are favorable for them to develop. If a warning is issued, that means a tornado has been spotted.

Community "lighthouses" to face their first test

Posted September 11, 2024 at 3:31 PM CDT

Hurricane Francine is expected to mark the first test for New Orleans’ new solar-powered resilience hubs known as “community lighthouses.”

Ten solar-powered community centers will be available in the region for people looking for water, batteries and air conditioning.

First Grace United Methodist Church was born out of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Now, Rev. Shawn Anglim says its ready to help its neighbors in the aftermath of Francine.

“If the power goes down, we power up,” he said Tuesday.

Located off Canal Street, his church’s roof has enough solar panels and batteries to provide a safe space if the rest of the city loses power.

Piles of water bottles were stacked in the church’s fellowship hall in preparation for Thursday. Anglim said people can visit his church for everything from air conditioning to charging devices to refrigerating medicine. Given it’s the first time, he said he expects other needs to come up organically.

“One of the things you know is people will show up and you discover what their need is,” he said. “They actually realize, ‘Oh, I have this medical device’ or ‘My neighbor has this medical device. Can you get a battery to my neighbor?’”

If the city loses power, Anglim said the church will open during the hottest part of the day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are eight other lighthouses in New Orleans ready to open and one in LaPlace.

These neighborhood refuges are part of a statewide effort led by Together Louisiana. Eventually, the group hopes to open enough centers to have one within a half-mile walk for everyone in New Orleans.

Residents urged to use caution with generators

Posted September 11, 2024 at 3:29 PM CDT

The Louisiana State Fire Marshall Chief Bryan Adams has cautioned residents to keep their generators at least 15 to 20 feet away from windows and openings in their homes in the event of power outages. Adams also urged residents to never use generators during the storm, to turn them off at least 15 minutes before fueling, and to confirm carbon monoxide detectors are functioning.

“We lose people every hurricane because of this issue,” Adams said during a press conference Wednesday.

Entergy expects power outages to last days, possibly over a week

Posted September 11, 2024 at 2:09 PM CDT

Power outages are expected across New Orleans and Louisiana as Hurricane Francine moves up the state, and it could take well over a week to fully restore power to some areas.

Entergy has nearly 6,000 workers in Louisiana, including over 350 workers in New Orleans, but those workers won’t get started on fixing the grid until after the storm passes.

The power company said when it comes to Category 2 hurricanes, most customers typically get their power back within a week. But it said in some areas, power could take up to 10 days to come back, and each storm is different. Entergy said it aims to have a better estimate of its restoration timeline two to three days after landfall.

Cantrell: City is ready, time to hunker down at home

Posted September 11, 2024 at 1:41 PM CDT

New Orleans officials say the city is ready for Francine. The storm’s outer rainbands have reached the city and conditions will worsen through the evening.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell is telling residents to hunker down at home now if they aren’t already.

The city is under a hurricane watch. Rainfall is expected to pick up this afternoon, along with gusty winds up to 70 mph by the evening and possible tornadoes.

Cantrell said when residents venture out in the morning, they need to be careful of standing water.

“Please follow instructions. Read the signs, take necessary precautions and you will be safe,” she said.

The city has generators set up at eight recreation centers. The centers will have food, water, air conditioning and charging stations if there are prolonged power outages after the storm.

Cantrell and other officials reminded residents to be careful when using generators at home.

After Hurricane Ida in 2021, more people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use than from the storm.

Terrebonne president says parish as “prepared as we can be”

Posted September 11, 2024 at 12:59 PM CDT

Terrebonne Parish could feel some of the worst effects of Hurricane Francine’s coastal flooding when the storm makes landfall later Wednesday.

Parish President Jason Bergeron said his administration spent Tuesday fortifying the local levee system to avoid overtopping. Francine could deliver up to 10 feet of storm surge to the west side of the parish where the levees are the shortest.

“We think what we have in place will be good to hold this,” Bergeron said Wednesday morning. “We were doing work as late as yesterday, trying to make sure everything's shored up and as high as it can get.”

He said the area outside the Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee system has already begun to flood as the Gulf of Mexico slowly rises. Residents who lived in those areas were placed under a mandatory evacuation order.

Bergeron said the parish ran buses to transport people to an emergency shelter at the Houma Municipal Auditorium. “In some of those areas that could be 8 or 10 ft, that's higher than people's heads,” he said.

The storm comes as the area is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ida three years ago, which swept through the region as a Category 4. Though Francine will arrive as a Category 1, more than 300 parish residents are still living in temporary trailers provided by the state and FEMA.

Bergeron said alerts were sent out ahead of the storm advising those residents to stay at the shelter or with family to wait out Francine.

“We're a resilient community, and we're coming back strong,” he said. “We may get knocked down, but we'll get back up. Keep us in your prayers.”

RTA buses will stop running at 3 p.m.

Updated September 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM CDT
Posted September 11, 2024 at 12:15 PM CDT

Buses will stop running at 3 p.m. ahead of Hurricane Francine’s landfall later today, according to New Orleans RTA.

Streetcar service will be suspended as early as noon and buses will run those routes until later this afternoon. Ferry service is suspended.

To stay updated, riders can call Rideline at (504) 248-3900 throughout the storm, visit norta.com/francine or download the RTA Le Pass app.

Gov. Landry urges residents to shelter in place

Posted September 11, 2024 at 12:14 PM CDT
Gov. Jeff Landry at Francine press conference Sept. 11, 2024
Brooke Thorington/WWNO
Gov. Jeff Landry and state officials speak at a press conference ahead of Hurricane Francine's landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11, 2024.

Governor Jeff Landry says it’s time for residents to stay in a safe place and ride out the storm.

“It is also the time to take advantage of the power that you have currently and make sure you charge all of your devices,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday morning.

He also urged people to stay off the roads after the storm to allow utility crews to restore infrastructure. Four roads have already been closed in St. Mary, Jefferson, Cameron and Vermillion Parishes.

State climatologist Jay Grymes said tropical storm force winds should arrive at the Louisiana coastline around midday Wednesday ahead of the landfall of the storm. The storm is expected to move quickly through the state.

“Most of the impacts should be out of the state by or soon after midnight. We’re also looking at a little bit of reduction in the rainfall totals with the storm system as well,” said Grymes. “All that said this is still going to be a serious weather event between now and midnight.”

Residents grab last-minute essentials before sheltering 

Posted September 11, 2024 at 11:15 AM CDT

New Orleans emergency managers asked residents to get off of roads by 11 a.m., but many residents were still out grabbing last-minute essentials.

Friends Brian Heely and Tom Thurman stopped by Rouses in Uptown to grab a pack of Miller Lights before taking shelter.

“I think it’s going to be fast-moving, so we’re gonna get some flooding,” Thurman said. “But I think it’ll be minimal. And by the grace of God we don’t have ugly wind.”

Heely lived through Hurricanes Katrina and Frederic in the past. Francine’s weaker storm status didn’t worry him too much, he said.

“If you wanna have a beer or two, that’s one thing. But don’t get stupid. Respect Mother Nature, because she wins,” he said.

Brian Heely and Tom Thurman sit outside a Rouses Market in Uptown New Orleans on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Matt Bloom
/
WWNO
Brian Heely and Tom Thurman sit outside a Rouses Market in Uptown New Orleans on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The two friends stopped at the grocery store to grab some beers before taking shelter for Hurricane Francine.

Hospitals, nursing homes prepare for Francine

Posted September 11, 2024 at 11:12 AM CDT

Hospitals, nursing homes and health care providers across South Louisiana have announced closures and other emergency measures in advance of Hurricane Francine’s landfall later today.

Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest health system, will close some urgent care locations at noon. Some clinics will be closed all day and elective procedures have been canceled in some regions.

LCMC hospitals were under lockdown as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, limiting visitors. Urgent care offices and clinics are closed and elective procedures are canceled today. The emergency department at Children’s Hospital Metairie is also closed and officials are directing patients to East Jefferson General Hospital instead.

Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order at the request of the Louisiana Department of Health on Tuesday that allows nursing homes to increase their bed capacity so they can take in residents from facilities that have decided to evacuate.

The order is in effect through Oct. 10. Nursing homes are required to have emergency plans filed with the health department, including evacuation plans.

6,000 have power restored in Metairie 

Posted September 11, 2024 at 11:09 AM CDT

Almost 6,000 customers have had their power restored Wednesday in Metairie as Hurricane Francine approached the coast. The outage was mostly in the Willowdale neighborhood.

“Any of these rain bands that are on the outer parts of the storm could have briefly gusty winds which could easily knock the power out and then the heavy rain on top of that just kind of adds to it,” said Hannah Lisney, a meteorologist with the National Weather service in New Orleans. “So I would say it's not super uncommon for that to happen, which is kind of one of the unfortunate parts of hurricanes that even hours before landfall we can see power outages.”

Francine could strengthen before making landfall

Posted September 11, 2024 at 7:03 AM CDT

Hurricane Francine could strengthen before making landfall in Louisiana this afternoon or evening, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center.

The Category 1 hurricane maintained its strength overnight, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, according to the 7 a.m. forecast. Hurricane-force winds were extending 40 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds up to 115 miles.

Francine was moving northeast at 12 mph. The storm is expected to move across Mississippi after landfall and weaken quickly as it moves inland.

President Biden approves federal disaster aid

Posted September 11, 2024 at 6:47 AM CDT

President Joe Biden has approved a federal emergency declaration for Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Francine’s landfall. The move loosens up federal resources to help the state respond to the storm.

Gov. Jeff Landry made the request on Tuesday. In a statement, Landry said the decision will “be pivotal to save lives and property.”

“As Hurricane Francine approaches Louisiana, I appreciate President Biden quickly approving this request," said Landry.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome also declared citywide emergencies to help with the response.

Francine becomes a hurricane

Posted September 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM CDT

Francine strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday evening as the storm inched closer to the Louisiana coast.

The storm is forecast to make landfall in Louisiana sometime Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane with 92 mph winds.

At 7 p.m. CT Tuesday, Francine was centered about 350 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It was moving northeast at 10 mph.

You can view the latest forecast track here.

Parts of Plaquemines Parish under mandatory evacuation, Belle Chasse-Scarsdale ferry offers toll-free service

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:37 PM CDT

Plaquemines Parish residents located in Lake Hermitage, Happy Jack, Myrtle Grove, from Tidewater Road to Venice, from White Ditch to Phoenix, Woodpark and Grand Bayou are under a mandatory evacuation due to Tropical Storm Francine as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. A voluntary evacuation order for all of the Eastbank and for Venice north to Alliance started at 2 p.m.

Ferry service at Belle Chasse-Scarsdale crossing will continue until 11 a.m. on Wednesday or until the captain on board deems the weather too unsafe to operate. There are currently no tolls. The Pointe à la Hache Ferry ferry is still closed.

A temporary shelter is now open as of noon Tuesday at the PPG Multipurpose Center. It only has water, so those choosing to shelter there should bring all other essentials including medicine. There will be a physician or a nurse onsite. Small pets are welcome. To get transportation to the shelter if needed, call Community Action at 504-934-6940.

“If they live in a mobile home or a structure they don’t feel safe in, they’re more than welcome to come to the evacuation center and ride out the storm there,” said Patrick Harvey, Plaquemines Parish Director of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security.

Plaquemines Medical Center in Port Sulphur will be open 24/7. The Belle Chasse site will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New Orleans' jail prepares for Francine

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:36 PM CDT

Around 1,200 incarcerated people are set to ride out Francine inside New Orleans’ jail, including a handful of teenagers.

Sheriff Susan Hutson said the jail evacuated around 150 people in custody from an annex prone to flooding to a Department of Corrections site somewhere in the state. She said those who remain will shelter in place.

“We know that people inside of this jail are first and foremost citizens of the city, and we want to assure their families that the men and women in our custody, that we are taking good care of them,” she said.

That includes more than a dozen 17-year-olds who were booked as adults because of a state law that went into effect this year.

Hutson said a dedicated team oversees the teens and a lieutenant oversees family outreach.

The jail also plans to ramp up staffing levels during the storm.

‘Lighthouses’ ready if Francine knocks out power

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:30 PM CDT

Nine new “lighthouses” — churches and community centers with solar panels — are ready to light up New Orleans if there are extended power outages from Tropical Storm Francine.

The facilities will provide residents with access to “cooling and heating stations, charging stations, food distribution, oxygen exchange, light medical equipment and other critical services,” according to a press release.

The Community Lighthouse Project is a network of solar- and battery-powered resilience hubs at churches and community centers across south Louisiana.

The project was created after Hurricane Ida to provide power during outages caused by severe weather.

The solar panels on each lighthouse are built to withstand Category 4 storms.

New Orleans under hurricane watch

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:25 PM CDT

New Orleans was placed under a hurricane watch Tuesday afternoon, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

Forecasters say Francine is likely to become a hurricane sometime Tuesday. It's expected to move across the northwestern Gulf Tuesday evening, before it makes landfall in Louisiana sometime Wednesday or Wednesday night.

Though it’s too soon to determine the exact timing and location of the storm’s landfall, forecasters say it could bring potentially life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds to parts of Louisiana beginning Tuesday night.

Lafourche Parish will enforce curfew starting noon Wednesday

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:06 PM CDT

Lafourche Parish businesses and residents will be under a curfew from Wednesday at noon until sunrise on Thursday. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as Tropical Storm Francine nears the coast and makes landfall Wednesday night.

Under the curfew, all businesses must close so employees “can make it home before the strongest storm impacts begin.” The curfew will be enforced by the parish’s Sheriff’s Office, though there will be a grace period to allow workers to return home. Essential personnel are exempt.

Baton Rouge residents recall 2016 floods as they prepare for Francine

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:04 PM CDT

More than three quarters of Denham Springs, east of Baton Rouge, flooded in 2016 after a slow-moving system drenched the area.

While Francine isn’t expected to bring anywhere near as much rainfall, residents were still on edge Tuesday. Sandy Casio said she was leaving nothing to chance as she and her business partner shoveled sand into bags to protect their antique store.

“We had 9 feet of water there so we lost everything,” she said.

Casio said it’s emotional to think about it all over again.

“If you don’t think it can happen to you, you’re wrong cause it can,” she said. “I’ve got chill bumps just thinking about it.”

Potential loss of power poses serious threat to those with disabilities

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:03 PM CDT

The risk of power loss from Tropical Storm Francine can pose a serious threat to people with disabilities, and some New Orleans residents, like Gabriella Trujillo, said they aren’t taking any chances.

Trujillo spent Tuesday afternoon packing up her home in the 9th Ward, gathering her medications, some groceries and her dog — Rudy. They plan to evacuate to Laurel, Mississippi, leaving the city in the evening — about 24 hours before the storm is forecast to make landfall as a strong Category 1 hurricane.

“As soon as the power comes back — because I'm assuming it’s gonna go out — I'll just come back,” she said.

Trujillo is disabled and has a condition that gets worse if she’s in the heat. If the electricity goes out in the storm, it could be dangerous. One of her neighbors, a photographer, died because of the heat after Hurricane Ida knocked out the power.

“It could make things permanently more difficult for me,” she said.

New Orleans EMS asks residents who are sheltering in place to check on their neighbors and loved ones, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

New Orleans RTA alters service, suspends ferry

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:02 PM CDT

Fixed-route bus and streetcar service in New Orleans will be reduced on Wednesday and possibly Thursday based on conditions, according to the RTA.

Ferries were docked this morning and won’t be in operation until further notice. The agency is advising people to take the 103 General Meyer Local bus instead.

RTA’s ID and customer service center is closed today through Thursday. To stay updated on bus and streetcar service, riders can call Rideline at (504) 248-3900 throughout the storm, visit the agency’s website or download the RTA Le Pass app.

New Orleans closes City Hall

Posted September 10, 2024 at 6:01 PM CDT

The city plans to close City Hall and all of its administrative operations on Wednesday and Thursday.

"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of residents and City employees."

Outside of levees, Terrebonne Parish residents under mandatory curfew, evacuation order

Posted September 10, 2024 at 2:15 PM CDT

Residents living outside of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection system will have a 7 p.m. curfew, starting Tuesday night. The area has also been under a mandatory evacuation order since Monday.

The area under curfew — also known as Zone 1 — includes those south of the Pointe-Aux-Chenes, Bayou Terrebonne, Bayou Petite Caillou and Lower Dularge floodgates such as Isle de Jean Charles, Lower Montegut and Cocodire. Those living south of the levee road ramp on Four Point Road in Lower Dulac are also included.

Terrebonne Parish officials will be closing road gates on Highways 56 and 655 at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. All residents who plan to comply with the evacuation order must be out of the area by then, according to officials. Initially, the parish said residents would have until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The parish’s shelter at the Houma Municipal Auditorium (880 Verret Street, Houma, La. 70360) will open at 6 p.m.

Iberia Parish issues voluntary evacuation order for south of I-90

Posted September 10, 2024 at 2:11 PM CDT

Due to the expected storm surge, Lower Iberia Parish, south of I-90, is under a voluntary evacuation order, effective Monday night.

“Those residents that wish to evacuate should begin that process immediately,” said Parish President M. Larry Richard. “Residents who choose to remain may find themselves without power and unable to leave the area until floodwaters recede and storm debris is removed.”

Richard advised anyone living in low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding or who lives in a structure that has flooded in the past to “strongly consider evacuating.” He also advised residents with special needs to consider evacuating.

The parish is also under a state of emergency declaration.

St. Martin Parish issues voluntary evacuation order for coastal residents

Posted September 10, 2024 at 2:10 PM CDT

St. Martin Parish officials issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents in Lower St. Martin Parish (Stephensville and Belle River) on Tuesday morning.

Tropical Storm Francine brings the threat of high water that can flood low-lying areas. The storm surge is predicted to be 5 to 10 feet, which could potentially leave the area inaccessible.

“During a voluntary evacuation, it is your choice to move from an area of danger to an area of safety. There is a chance that flood waters could render you unable to leave your home,” said Ginny Higgins, the public information officer for St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Baton Rouge schools cancel classes

Posted September 10, 2024 at 11:57 AM CDT

Public schools in Baton Rouge will close Wednesday and Thursday for Tropical Storm Francine.

More than a dozen school systems have canceled classes, some as early as today.

New Orleans cancels trash collection

Posted September 10, 2024 at 11:56 AM CDT

New Orleans’ sanitation department won’t collect trash or recycling on Wednesday. Collections will run a day behind schedule for the remainder of the week.

The city is reminding residents to secure trash and recycling carts ahead of Tropical Storm Francine.

Baton Rouge mayor declares state of emergency

Posted September 10, 2024 at 11:18 AM CDT

East Baton Rouge Parish is under a state of state of emergency Tuesday ahead of the expected arrival of Francine in Louisiana.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome declared a parish-wide state of emergency Tuesday, authorizing emergency measures and mobilizing local resources to assist with the response efforts.

"Our City-Parish team is Red Stick Ready. We’re actively clearing storm drains, restocking sand locations, and are fully prepared to respond to our community," Weston Broome said in a press release. "We ask our residents to do the same—take this time to create a plan and get your families and homes ready."

The move comes after Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order Monday, declaring a state of emergency for the entire state. The order allows the state to unlock additional resources and personnel to assist in the response to the storm.

City-Parish offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The Metropolitan Council's meeting scheduled for Wednesday was postponed until Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Francine forecast to be a Category 2 hurricane

Posted September 10, 2024 at 8:11 AM CDT

Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane, with 100 mph winds, before making landfall on Louisiana’s coast.

A hurricane warning now stretches from Sabine Pass to Grand Isle. That means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the area in the next 36 hours.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the National Hurricane Center said in its 7 a.m. update.

Gov. Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency for the entire state ahead of Louisiana’s first named storm of the season. Francine is forecast to bring 5 to 10 feet of storm surge in some coastal areas, damaging winds and floods.

Gov. Landry declares a state of emergency

Posted September 9, 2024 at 6:27 PM CDT

Gov. Jeff Landry placed all of Louisiana under a state of emergency on Monday as Tropical Storm Francine churns in the Gulf of Mexico.

The emergency declaration unlocks state resources so officials can prepare for the storm and respond to the aftermath. Francine is currently expected to make landfall as a hurricane along Louisiana’s coastline late Wednesday, according to forecasts by the National Weather Service.

“This State of Emergency will allow parishes statewide to have the resources to help protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana,” Landry said. “Throughout this process, we will remain in constant contact with local officials and first responders and will assist them in every step of the way.”

New Orleans officials preparing for Francine

Posted September 9, 2024 at 6:25 PM CDT

While it’s still unclear exactly where Tropical Storm Francine will land, New Orleans officials say the city is ready.

Colin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of disaster response, said even though the storm will likely hit further west, residents should plan to shelter in place on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We’re gonna see you on the other side of this and everything is going to be fine,” Arnold said.

He said the city could see anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of rain and 2 to 4 feet of coastal flooding outside the levee protection system.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pointed to new lighthouses — churches and community centers with solar panels — as just one way the city is better prepared for storms than it was when Hurricane Ida hit in 2021.

The lighthouses are the work of Together New Orleans, a coalition of dozens of congregations and community groups. The city has contributed funding. Nine lighthouses are complete and more are in the works.

Officials for the city’s 911 dispatch say the center has never been in a better place, thanks to recent technology upgrades. The service was down for almost 12 hours following Ida.

Arnold is encouraging residents to finish gathering supplies Tuesday and be prepared to stay home through Friday if necessary.

Louisiana coast under hurricane warning

Posted September 9, 2024 at 4:39 PM CDT

Additional storm watches and warnings were issued Monday for areas along the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines as Francine moves along the western Gulf of Mexico.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, a storm surge warning is in effect for:

  • High Island Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River Louisiana
  • Vermilion Bay

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

  • The Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass eastward to Morgan City

A storm surge watch is in effect for:

  • Mouth of the Mississippi River Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama Border
  • Lake Maurepas
  • Lake Pontchartrain

A hurricane watch is in effect for:

  • The Louisiana coast from Morgan City eastward to Grand Isle

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

  • Morgan City to Grand Isle
  • High Island to Sabine Pass

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

  • Barra del Tordo to the Mouth of the Rio Grande
  • Mouth of the Rio Grande to High Island Texas
  • East of Grand Isle Louisiana to Mouth of the Pearl River,
    including metropolitan New Orleans
  • Lake Pontchartrain
  • Lake Maurepas

More school closures

Posted September 9, 2024 at 4:23 PM CDT

A number of schools announced plans to close to give students and staff more time to prepare for the storm. All NOLA Public Schools students will be dismissed early on Tuesday. The schools will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday. Find our parish-by-parish list of school closures here.

Grand Isle calls for voluntary evacuation

Posted September 9, 2024 at 4:21 PM CDT

Mayor David Camardelle called for a voluntary evacuation as of 11 a.m. on Monday. A mandatory evacuation was issued for campers/rv's, cargo and boat trailers.

Grand Isle school is also canceled on Tuesday.

Southeast Louisiana under flood watch 

Posted September 9, 2024 at 4:19 PM CDT

Francine is forecast to bring heavy rain and coastal flooding to Louisiana Tuesday night through Thursday morning.

A flood watch is in effect from Tuesday through Thursday morning in portions of southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge.