Due to the landfall of Hurricane Francine about to happen September 2024, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida are in your travel plans over the next few days.
Landfall of Hurricane Francine About to Happen: September 2024 Travel Alert
Maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Francine — which is currently approximately 40 miles south southwest of Morgan City in Louisiana and moving northeast at a speed of 17 miles per hour — are at 100 miles per hour, which means that it is currently classified as a Category 2 hurricane. Landfall of Hurricane Francine is expected to occur somewhere in the sparsely inhabited coast of the state of Louisiana south of Morgan City within the next few hours of today, Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from:
- The border which is shared by Vermilion and Cameron eastward to Grand Isle
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Louisiana coast from:
- Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain — including metropolitan New Orleans
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- The Louisiana coast from Cameron to the border which is shared by Vermilion and Cameron
- The Texas coast from High Island to Sabine Pass
- Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain — including metropolitan New Orleans
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- The border which is shared by Vermilion and Cameron to the border which is shared by Mississippi and Alabama
- Vermilion Bay
- Lake Maurepas
- Lake Pontchartrain
Significant precipitation of up to twelve inches is possible in across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama — as well as in the panhandle of Florida — which is expected to result in considerably significant urban flooding and flash flooding.
Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting much of the southeastern United States. A dangerous storm surge of as high as ten feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding of portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Electric power will be temporarily disrupted as power lines will be disconnected by the winds and by possible falling trees in portions of the affected areas.
Expect windy conditions to occur over much of the western half of the Gulf Coast of the United States. An isolated tornado is possible — especially in the southern portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and in the panhandle of Florida.
Hurricane conditions are already currently affecting portions of the coast of Louisiana. After landfall, the hurricane will rapidly weaken as it brings gusty winds and significant precipitation up through the center of the state of Mississippi before entering extreme southwestern Tennessee, extreme eastern Arkansas, and then southern Missouri.
The good news is that the hurricane should not linger at its forward speed of 17 miles per hour; so damage will be less than if the storm was moving at a slower speed. This hurricane is still capable of causing significant damage.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are eleven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 16 airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Friday, September 13, 2024; and Tuesday, September 17, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Wednesday, September 11, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for eleven airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Alaska Airlines has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Sunday, September 15, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Thursday, September 26, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for four airports in three states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024.
- Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for Houston, New Orleans, and Pensacola for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Breeze Airlines has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 through Friday, September 13, 2024; and Friday, September 27, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Wednesday, September 11, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
