Tropical Storm Francine has been closely monitored by NOAA satellites since its formation in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico over the weekend of September 8, 2024. Initially identified as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, it rapidly intensified into Tropical Storm Francine on September 9, 2024, as it moved northward towards the Louisiana coastline.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a proactive message to residents, urging preparedness and adherence to evacuation orders, while emphasizing the importance of avoiding panic. Communities across the region responded by reinforcing flood defenses with sandbags, securing essential supplies, and ensuring their vehicles were fueled, demonstrating a collective effort to brace for the impending storm.
By late Tuesday morning, September 10, Hurricane Francine maintained tropical storm status with sustained winds reaching 65 mph (100 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. Fueled by exceptionally warm Gulf waters, registering around 87 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius), Francine escalated to a Category 1 hurricane by 7 p.m. CDT that same day. By Wednesday morning, September 11, the storm’s sustained winds had further intensified to 90 mph. Alarmingly, the ocean heat content in the Gulf was reported to be at record levels, contributing to the rapid strengthening of the storm.
Around 4 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Hurricane Francine reached Category 2 status, with maximum sustained winds peaking at 100 mph. Landfall occurred approximately an hour later in southern Louisiana, specifically in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City. The hurricane brought with it devastating flash flooding that rendered numerous roads impassable and triggered widespread power outages, plunging hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses into darkness. As of Thursday morning, PowerOutage.us reported that over 388,000 utility customers in Louisiana, 52,000 in Mississippi, and 10,000 in Alabama were experiencing power disruptions.
New Orleans experienced significant rainfall, ranging from 6 to 8 inches, which led to flash flood emergencies and severe street flooding, particularly in neighboring parishes such as St. James and Jefferson. Despite the majority of the city’s drainage pumps being operational, authorities strongly advised residents to avoid navigating flooded roadways. In Lafourche Parish, rescue efforts were underway, with 26 individuals successfully rescued from floodwaters. Reports of downed trees and property damage surfaced across multiple parishes, highlighting the widespread impact of the hurricane.
Following landfall and its move inland, Hurricane Francine weakened back to a tropical storm by 10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday night. By Thursday morning, September 12, it was further downgraded to a tropical depression. A tornado watch was issued for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, adding to the list of potential hazards. Dangerous surf conditions were also reported along the northern Gulf Coast, posing risks to coastal communities. By 10 a.m. CDT, the depression was located over central Mississippi.
Hurricane Francine marks a significant event as the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, the first hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana since 2021, and the third to make landfall in the U.S. this year.
NOAA satellites are instrumental in providing critical data for hurricane forecasting and for monitoring the precise location, movement, and intensity of these powerful storms. The GOES-16 and GOES-18 geostationary satellites offer continuous surveillance of the entire Atlantic and eastern/central Pacific hurricane basins. This constant monitoring provides real-time tracking of tropical cyclones and observes the environmental conditions that contribute to their formation and behavior.
By capturing images of a storm as frequently as every 30 seconds, these advanced satellites significantly aid forecasters in accurately discerning cloud movement and enhancing the precision of storm center estimations. Furthermore, GOES-16 and GOES-18 deliver detailed insights into a hurricane’s properties, including cloud top cooling, central pressure, convective structures, specific features of the eye, wind estimates, and lightning activity. This comprehensive data is vital for accurately assessing a storm’s intensity and potential impact.
The Joint Polar Satellite System’s (JPSS) polar-orbiting satellites, including NOAA/NASA Suomi-NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21, gather data over every location on Earth twice daily. These satellites meticulously measure atmospheric conditions by taking precise readings of sea surface temperatures and atmospheric temperature and moisture. These measurements are crucial for generating accurate storm forecasts several days in advance, providing valuable lead time for preparedness efforts. JPSS instruments are particularly effective in supplying data that assists forecasters in predicting a hurricane’s trajectory 3 to 7 days into the future, enhancing early warning capabilities and public safety.
