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.
Sep 12, 2024, 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

Sep 12, 2024, 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

Sep 12, 2024, 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

Sep 12, 2024, 8:33 AM EDT

What to expect next

Francine -- which brought a record daily rainfall to New Orleans -- is now pushing north, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and potential tornadoes to the South.

A car is submerged to its wheel well on Neyrey Dr. as water overflows the nearby W. Napoleon Ave drainage canal after a deluge of rain from Hurricane Francine in Metairie, La., in Jefferson Parish, Sept. 11, 2024.
Matthew Hinton/AP

Eight states across the South are under wind and flood alerts, from Louisiana to Missouri.

As Francine moves north, it is expected to slow down and stall. An additional 5 to 10 inches of rain is possible across the South, especially in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.