Francine updates: Storm pushes across South as tropical depression

Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane.

Last Updated: September 12, 2024, 3:43 PM EDT

Hurricane Francine made landfall Wednesday evening in Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans, as a Category 2 storm. Francine has since weakened to a tropical depression as it brings heavy rain to the South on Thursday.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 11, 2024, 7:09 PM EDT

Francine weakens to Category 1 storm

Francine has weakened to a Category 1 hurricane post-landfall, but continues to bring life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions to southern Louisiana.

A peak gust of 97 mph was reported at a weather station in Dulac.

Sep 11, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT

FEMA on storm dangers

As residents in Louisiana hunker down due to Francine, Keith Turi, the associate administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Association, warned of potential hazards in the wake of the storm.

"What many people don't know is that some of the most dangerous times are those hours right after the storm passes, when you've got high floodwaters or power lines down or even operating a generator, making sure you're doing that safely and keeping it away from your home," Turi told ABC News Live's Kyra Phillips.

Turi said the agency has been coordinating with state and local officials for several days as Francine approached and will be prepared to conduct damage assessments on Thursday.

Sep 11, 2024, 6:07 PM EDT

Francine makes landfall as Category 2 storm

Francine has made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in southern Louisiana with 100 mph winds.

Landfall was about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, in Terrebonne Parish.

Sep 11, 2024, 5:04 PM EDT

Francine strengthens to Category 2

Francine has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds as its eye approaches the Louisiana coast.

Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions are moving onto shore.