Francine packed maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour (155 kph) as the eye of the storm reached the southern Louisiana coast near Morgan City, Louisiana, about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of New Orleans, the US National Hurricane Center said.
The hurricane
...as in blow me down!...
center upgraded the storm from Category 1 previously on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. It classifies a Category 2 hurricane as producing extremely dangerous winds that will cause extensive damage. Little change in strength was expected before landfall later on Wednesday.
The storm was moving toward the northeast at 17 mph (28 kph), putting not just Morgan City but also New Orleans in the general path. The New Orleans metropolitan area was under a hurricane watch, meaning hurricane conditions were possible.
"It is on our doorstep. After the storm is over, please remain in place," Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told a presser. "Stay off the roadway."
Morgan City had already set a curfew until 6 a.m. on Thursday, Police Chief Chad Adams told journalists.