Jefferson Parish Starting to Feel the Effects of Hurricane Francine

Category 4 Hurricane Nears Louisiana

Hurricane Francine continues to approach the Louisiana coast, and Jefferson Parish is beginning to feel the effects.

As of 10 a.m. CDT, the National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Francine is now a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen further as it approaches the coast, and could reach Category 5 status by the time it makes landfall.

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for Jefferson Parish, and residents are urged to take precautions. Tropical storm-force winds are expected to reach the parish by this afternoon, and hurricane-force winds are possible by tonight. Storm surge is also a concern, with as much as 10 feet of inundation possible in some areas.

Residents Urged to Prepare

Jefferson Parish officials are urging residents to make preparations for the storm. This includes securing loose objects, stocking up on food and water, and having a plan for evacuation if necessary.

Sandbags are available at several locations throughout the parish, and residents are encouraged to fill sandbags to protect their homes from flooding.

Evacuation orders may be issued for some areas of Jefferson Parish, and residents should be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Stay Informed

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the latest weather conditions and advisories from the National Weather Service and Jefferson Parish officials.

The National Weather Service has a website with up-to-date information on Hurricane Francine, and Jefferson Parish has a website with information on preparedness and evacuation.

Residents can also sign up for text alerts from Jefferson Parish by texting "JPALERT" to 888777.