Record-warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are expected to intensify Hurricane Francine’s impact|@NHC_Atlantic|X

Tropical storm Francine strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph and is expected to grow stronger before landfall on the Louisiana coast on Wednesday.

Record-warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are expected to intensify Francine’s impact.

Flooding, powerful winds, and storm surges pose serious threats, with water levels potentially rising to 10 feet above normal along the central Louisiana coast.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for the New Orleans area.

Coastal areas in Mississippi and Alabama are under storm surge and tropical storm warnings.

Evacuations have been ordered in parts of Louisiana, while several parishes are closing schools. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating with local authorities to ensure resources are ready to respond.

The storm is expected to weaken quickly after landfall but will continue to bring heavy rains to the lower and middle Mississippi River Valley through the week.