Francine updates: Storm pushes across South as tropical depression

Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane.

ByKevin Shalvey, David Brennan, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso
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.
3:43 PM EDT

Biden 'closely monitoring' impacts of Francine

President Joe Biden is "closely monitoring" the impacts of Francine as the storm moves through the South, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

A building is damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Sept. 12, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP

"Over 700 federal personnel, including 128 urban search and rescue personnel, are in Louisiana and ready to support any emergency response request from the state," she said.

"FEMA has also prepositioned more than 750,000 meals, 1.2 million liters of water to support the needs of survivors," she said. "We continue to encourage those who are in the path of Francine to stay alert, visit ready.gov for tips on how to stay safe and follow the recommendations of state and local officials."

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle

3:31 PM EDT

Latest forecast

Francine -- the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the continental U.S. so far this season -- dropped nearly 10 inches of rain in Covington, Louisiana, and more than 8 inches in New Orleans.

Siblings Avery, 10, and Grace LeBlanc, 7, canoe in their backyard next to playground equipment after flooding from Hurricane Francine in Montz, La., in St. Charles Parish, Sept. 12, 2024.
Matthew Hinton/AP

Francine’s remnants are still bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and potential flooding to the South through Friday.

Flood watches remain in effect across parts of six states, from Arkansas to Florida.

A drone view of the city as Hurricane Francine approaches the U.S. Gulf Coast, in Morgan City, La., Sept. 11, 2024.
Marco Bello/Reuters

Central and northern Alabama are in the bull’s-eye for significant flash flooding on Thursday. Up to 10 inches of rain is possible.

Wind advisories are also in effect. Gusts could reach 35 to 50 mph overnight.

PHOTO: Pamela Miller walks around a tree that fell on her house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Sept. 12, 2024.
Pamela Miller walks around a tree that fell on her house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Sept. 12, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP

-ABC News' Melissa Griffin

2:34 PM EDT

No fatalities reported in Louisiana

No fatalities have been reported from the storm in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry said Thursday, and he thanked residents for heeding all the warnings.

People assess wreckage after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on Sept. 12, 2024 in Houma, La.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

A Louisiana trooper suffered minor injuries while removing a downed tree from a road Wednesday night, officials said. The trooper was released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

Power outages due to vegetation are the biggest issue in Louisiana, officials said.

Residents walk past a tree that fell on a house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Sept. 12, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP

Fourteen route-clearance teams are out working to clear debris, officials said.

-ABC News’ Alexandra Faul

11:59 AM EDT

Over 340,000 without power in Louisiana

More than 340,000 customers are without power in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Francine. About 36,000 customers are without power in Mississippi and 36,000 are in the dark in Alabama.

A bent stop sign is seen at Neyrey Dr. and W. Napoleon Ave where water from the W. Napoleon drainage canal overtopped after a deluge of rain from Hurricane Francine in Metairie, La., in Jefferson Parish, Sept. 11, 2024.
Matthew Hinton/AP