Louisiana's Landry warns coastal residents to prepare for possible hurricane

(The Center Square) — Gov. Jeff Landry urged Louisiana residents, especially those living on the Gulf Coast, to be prepared for a possible hurricane as soon as Tuesday.

Currently Francine is classified as a tropical storm, but officials are anticipating a potential Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane that is predicted by the National Hurricane Center to potentially strike the state in Cameron Parish.

The first-term Republican governor issued a statewide emergency declaration on Monday.

"Most likely what we are looking for is heavy rain along with localized flooding of seven to nine inches over a 12-hour period, once the storm makes landfall," said Jacques Thibodeaux , Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

"Those people living along the coast should heed their local officials' warnings and take the proper precautions necessary for high tides, extreme surges and the strong winds," Landry said. "Storm shelters are all based on a parish by parish basis. Maintain contact with your local parish, officers of emergency preparedness and they'll tell you what shelters will be open."

With 23 parishes already issuing emergency declarations, the governor warned that number could grow as more information becomes available. He also highlighted resources like Getagameplan.org to help people prepare, reminding them not to panic but to take the time to ready their homes and properties.

Landry urged residents to avoid last-minute preparations to prevent long lines at gas stations.

"The more prepared we are, the easier it is for us to address these storms," he said.

The governor also advised residents to trim trees and limbs near their homes and to document any potential storm damage with photos for insurance purposes.

While the governor did not mention which parishes specifically are likely to be most impacted by Francine, he warned coastal parishes to be prepared as much as possible.