Thu Sep 12 00:05:56 UTC 2024: ## Tropical Storm Francine Pummels Louisiana, Leaving Thousands Without Power
**Louisiana, USA** – Tropical Storm Francine made landfall on the Louisiana coast Wednesday night as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall, high winds, and widespread power outages before being downgraded to a tropical storm.
The storm, which made landfall near the Parish of Terrebonne, caused significant damage, with footage showing flooded streets, downed trees and power lines, and damaged roofs. Over 350,000 homes and businesses across Louisiana were left without power.
Governor Jeff Landry mobilized the National Guard, deploying over 400 high-water vehicles, 87 boats, and 50 helicopters to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. He urged residents to follow local officials’ instructions, including evacuation orders if necessary.
Francine was further downgraded to a tropical depression Thursday morning, moving inland over southeastern Louisiana and bringing heavy rainfall to Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
The storm is expected to weaken further, becoming a post-tropical cyclone later Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Depression Seven, located about 600 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. The depression, which could become a tropical storm later today, presents no immediate hazards to land.
The NHC is also tracking several other tropical disturbances, including a disorganized area in the central tropical Atlantic and another near the Leeward Islands. However, neither system is expected to develop significantly in the near future.
Finally, the NHC predicts a non-tropical area of low pressure could form off the southeastern U.S. coast in a few days, with potential for subtropical or tropical development early next week.
The NHC continues to monitor the progress of these systems and will provide updates as needed.
First Piper 