Tropical Storm Francine: Forecast for Lafayette, Acadiana LA | Hurricane Center

Lafayette and southwest Louisiana may experience flooding, strong winds and storm surge as Tropical Storm Francine heads toward the Gulf Coast.

Francine had peak sustained winds of 50 mph around 10 a.m. Monday. It is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane upon landfall, but strengthening to a Category 2 is “not out of the question,” said meteorologist Donald Jones of the National Weather Service in Lake Charles during a live briefing on Facebook.

It is still too early to predict exactly where Francine might make landfall, but it is expected to move slowly northward through Wednesday evening and could make landfall near Intercoastal City, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish, the NWS Lake Charles said.

Jones said people should finalize their plans by Tuesday on whether to voluntarily evacuate or “ride out” the storm at home, as tropical storm force winds are expected to begin between 8 a.m. and noon on Wednesday.

“From this point on, conditions will deteriorate across much of the region,” he said.

Lafayette Parish

A hurricane warning has been issued for Lafayette Parish. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Lafayette could experience tropical storm-force gusts with gusts potentially up to 65 mph from Wednesday morning into the early hours of Thursday.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and the chances will increase through Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, there is a moderate chance that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Between 15 and 20 centimeters of rain could fall in the region, with isolated rainfall of up to 30 centimeters not ruled out, the NWS said.

A state of emergency applies.

Vermilion Parish

A hurricane warning has been issued for Vermilion Parish. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

There is a 70-80% chance of tropical storm force winds, which are sustained winds of 40 miles per hour or more, occurring in the coastal area of ​​the municipality.

“As the storm continues to organize and move closer to the coast, we’ll see those probabilities continue to increase,” Jones said.

The storm surge on the coast is estimated to reach a height of 1.5 to 3 meters.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and the chance will increase through Wednesday morning. There is a moderate chance on Wednesday that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Between 15 and 20 centimeters of rain could fall in the region, with isolated rainfall of up to 30 centimeters not ruled out, the NWS said.

Acadia Community

A hurricane warning has been issued for Acadia Parish. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and the chance will increase through Wednesday morning. There is a moderate chance on Wednesday that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Parish of Iberia

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Iberia Parish. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and the chance will increase through Wednesday morning. There is a moderate chance on Wednesday that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Parish of St. Martin

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for St. Martin Parish. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and chances will increase through Wednesday morning. There is a moderate chance on Wednesday that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Parish of St. Mary

A Hurricane and Storm Surge Watch has been issued for St. Mary Parish. A warning means that such conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

According to the NWS forecast, wind gusts in the Franklin-Morgan City area could reach up to 69 miles per hour Wednesday evening.

Rain is likely in the region Tuesday afternoon, and the chance will increase through Wednesday morning. There is a moderate chance on Wednesday that excessive rainfall could lead to rapid flooding.

Cameron Community

A hurricane warning has been issued for eastern Cameron Parish. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for western Cameron Parish. A storm surge warning has also been issued for Cameron Parish. According to NWS Lake Charles, storm surge is expected to be 3-5 feet from High Island to Cameron.

In Cameron, wind gusts could reach up to 75 km/h on Wednesday, and in Lake Charles up to 56 km/h.