Hurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana as Category 2 storm

Hurricane Francine made landfall on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane in southern Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is the third one to make landfall in the United States this year, after hurricanes Beryl and Debby reached the mainland over the summer. Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas in July, and Debby hit Florida last month.

Hurricane Francine had maximum sustained winds of nearly 100 mph when it made landfall, CNN reported. The storm is expected to weaken as it travels across land, but heavy rain and winds are still expected in Louisiana over the next 24 hours. It is expected to hit the greater New Orleans area on Wednesday night.

“After landfall, the center [of the storm] is expected to cross southeastern Louisiana tonight, then move northward across Mississippi on Thursday and Thursday night,” the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.