We should have known it was too good to be true.
The idea that south Louisiana — and much of the nation, actually — could go through an entire hurricane season, particularly one predicted to be especially active, without once staring down a powerful storm would have seemed ludicrous earlier this summer. But so far that's what happened, and last week, as the tropics remained steadily quiet, forecasters began to question their predictions and residents let themselves breathe a little more freely.
Not so fast.
Monday, a tropical system in the western Gulf of Mexico officially became Tropical Storm Francine. It is just the sixth named storm of the year, after forecasters predicted 17-25 of them.
Francine is expected to move north and east, likely making landfall on the Louisiana coast sometime midweek. Some predictions anticipate it will be a Category 1 hurricane by the time it gets to the coast, but forecasts are rapidly evolving.
With that in mind, it's a good time to check those hurricane preparations. Storms like this may seem small and/or disorganized, but they can still bring drenching rains and high winds.
Given the fragile state of our infrastructure, which is vulnerable to disruptions not just in extreme weather, even a small storm can leave residents without power for long periods. That's a lesson residents in Texas learned earlier this year after Category 1 Beryl knocked out power to thousands for days.
And since 2021's Ida showed what rapid intensification looked like, no storm can be taken lightly.
With that in mind, we urge those in the most vulnerable areas to make plans to evacuate if you are able. Moving to a location out of the storm's path is the most reliable way to avoid the potential dangers.
If you ride it out, here are the things the federal government suggests you do:
- Stock all emergency supplies, such as extra gasoline, toilet paper, batteries, flashlights and battery-powered appliances such as radios and chargers.
- Make sure you have enough bottled water — a gallon per day per person for a minimum of three days is the rule — and nonperishable foods.
- Stock up on any required medications or supplies.
- Make sure you have important documents safe and in a waterproof container.
- Ensure that you have adequate supplies or arrangements for any pets.
- If you have a generator, make sure it's fueled and ready to be used and that you are aware of how to operate it safely.
As of Monday, much remained uncertain about Francine, including its timing and precise path.
But with much of the state in the familiar "cone of uncertainty," now is the time to make the necessary preparations for its arrival. In the meantime, we can certainly hope and pray for it to spare our state and its storm-weary residents any significant impacts.