Tropical Storm Francine May Hit as Hurricane

Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to reach hurricane status by midweek, potentially impacting the Texas and Louisiana coasts with heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and storm surge watches for parts of Louisiana, and states are preparing for possible landfall. Most models predict Francine making landfall in Louisiana, although some suggest it could affect Texas. The storm is expected to bring up to a foot of rain and cause flash flooding, especially in already saturated areas. Local authorities in affected regions, including Galveston and Calcasieu Parish, are taking precautionary measures and preparing resources for emergency response.