Hurricane Francine Gains Strength As It Nears Gulf Coast, With Impact On Gas Prices Possible

Tropical Storm Francine has strengthened to become a hurricane as energy facilities on the Gulf Coast have evacuated some production sites, and scaled back operations.

Francine is expected to gain more strength and become a Category 2 hurricane as it enters warm, open waters prior to landfall
Photo Credit: *AccuWeather.com*

A look at the projected track and timing for Hurricane Francine, which is expected to make landfall Wednesday night, Sept. 11.
Photo Credit: *National Hurricane Center*

Joe Lombardi

09/11/2024 7:40 a.m.

The Category 1 storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night, Sept. 11, in southeast Louisiana.

Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, storm surge of 5 to 10 feet, and wind gusts of 75 miles per hour and higher are expected. Tornadoes are also possible.

Francine became a hurricane at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.

It's expected to gain more strength and become a Category 2 hurricane as it enters warm, open waters prior to landfall, according to AccuWeather.com. (See the first image above.)

Francine will likely have some negative effect on petroleum operations in the Gulf Coast, which could be reflected as higher prices at the pump for a time, AccuWeather notes.

For a look at the projected track and timing for the storm from the National Hurricane Center, click on the second image above.

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