BEAUMONT, Texas — The 12News Weather Impact Team and the National Hurricane Center are tracking Tracking Tropical Storm Francine which is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.
We're publishing the latest information from around Southeast Texas as the area prepares for and then deals with any impact Francine may bring.
Keep up to date
RELATED: Track Francine on interactive radar
Wednesday
- 2 p.m. - Ambulance services in Hackberry, Grand Lake, Holly Beach, Johnson Bayou, and Big Lake have resumed operations.
- Grand Lake Lake Pontoon Bridge is set to resume operations at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
- Black Bayou Bridge and Grand Lake Bridge will reopen to vehicle and marine traffic at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday
- 12 p.m. - CAMERON PARISH | Evacuations have been lifted for all Cameron Parish effective at noon according to Ashley Buller with the Cameron Parish office of emergency preparedness.
- 9:50 a.m. -CAMERON PARISH | The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that high water warnings are in effect for the following state highways.
- LA 82/27 in the Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou areas
- LA 27 North from LA 82 through Hackberry and Kelso Bayou
- LA 82 at Rex Street in Cameron
Tuesday
- 12:15 p.m. - CAMERON PARISH | The Grand Lake Bridge will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday, while the Black Bayou Bridge will maintain operations.
- 12:15 p.m. - CAMERON PARISH | Ambulance services in Creole, Grand Chenier and Cameron are unavailable until the evacuation has been lifted. Ambulance services will be unavailable in Big Lake starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. in Grand Lake until the evacuation has been lifted.
- 12:15 p.m. - CAMERON PARISH | All parish dump sites will be closed Tuesday through Friday.
- 12 p.m. - The 12News meteorologists have canceled Tuesday and Wednesday's Weather Impact Alert Days after Francine's track moved further east.
- 9:55 a.m. - Galveston County on Tuesday issued a voluntary evacuation order for Bolivar Peninsula.
- 9 a.m. - Several Southeast Texas school districts have announced they are "watching the weather" and will announce any closure or delay sometime today, however only one school here, the Bob Hope Schools, have canceled classes.
- 8:30 a.m. - Deweyville ISD has canceled a Tuesday night volleyball game in Deweyville due to the potential for bad weather.
Monday
- 10:30 p.m. - The Big Thicket National Preserve visitor center will be closed on Wednesday, September 11, due to potential impacts from Francine.
- Governor Greg Abbott will be making his way to Beaumont Tuesday, after receiving briefings, to hold a press conference and provide updates on Tropical Storm Francine.
- A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all of Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
- All Cameron Parish schools will be closing Tuesday due to severe weather warnings.
- All Calcasieu Parish School Board schools and facilities will be closed September 10 and September 11.
- Sea Rim is getting ready for Tropical Storm Francine and will be closed starting Tuesday, September 10 until Monday, September 16.
Francine moves through the Gulf of Mexico
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2024 Hurricane season outlook
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is nearly here and we want to make sure you're prepared. According to Colorado State University, it's expected to be a busy season, but regardless of projections, it just takes one storm to cause mass devastation and life-changing effects. So make sure you have everything you need to keep yourself, your home and your family safe. And make sure you have the 12News app to stay updated when you're not in front of your TV or computer.
Colorado State University issues a hurricane season forecast well before June 1, and this year, they called for an active season. How active?
On average, the Atlantic sees about 14 named storms each hurricane season. Of those, seven become hurricanes with three becoming major (Cat-3 or above) storms. The CSU forecast is significantly above that normal. They believe we will see 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes with five of those becoming major hurricanes.
Be prepared if a storm comes our way
BEFORE THE STORM
- Make a home inventory
- Have a current copy of your declarations page that has your policy number and your agent's number
- Review your policy with your insurance agent to determine if you have adequate coverage
- Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters and downspouts to prevent them from becoming an issue in high winds or torrential rain
- Have an evacuation plan, and include plans for your pets
- Make sure your emergency equipment is in working order, including a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Also, make sure to gather all medicine, replenish your first-aid kit and stock a week's worth of non-perishable food and water
- Charge your cell phone and fill your car with gas
- Program all emergency phone numbers
DURING THE STORM
- If you are advised to evacuate, leave as soon as possible. Retain all related receipts - they may be considered in your claim. If you aren't in a recommended evacuation and you plant to stay home, stay informed by listening to weather alerts
- Keep windows and doors closed at all time, and, if possible, board them up with wooden or metal shutters
- Stay away from the windows and in the center of the room, or, stay in an interior room
- Avoid flood water, as it may be electrically charged from downed power lines
- Check on family members and friends
AFTER THE STORM
- Check to be sure your family members are safe
- If you did evacuate, wait for official notice that it is safe to re-enter your neighborhood and your house
- Document damaged property, and take photos and videos. Don't dispose of any damaged items without approval
- Keep a record of any temporary repairs or expenses to prevent further damage to your property.
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