Storm Alert – Tropical Storm Francine – September 10, 2024
Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen into a category 2 hurricane today in the western Gulf of Mexico, with landfall forecasted in Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon. The storm’s impacts, including flooding rainfall, storm surge, damaging winds, and tornadoes, will affect a broader area across the Gulf Coast and southern U.S. Francine, currently located about 400 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, making it a strong tropical storm. While most rainfall remains offshore, some rain bands have already reached South Texas and the northern Gulf Coast.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass to Grand Isle, and a storm surge warning covers an area from High Island, Texas, to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. These warnings indicate life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions (74+ mph winds) are likely within 36 hours. Tropical storm warnings are also in place for much of the western and northern Gulf Coast, including New Orleans, where winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected. Heavy rain bands will affect the Gulf Coast from Texas to Mississippi and Alabama, with rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches and locally up to 12 inches, posing a risk of flooding in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Tropical Storm Francine has already led to the closure of several Texas ports and disrupted offshore production. Several Gulf of Mexico producers evacuated workers, ceased drilling, and shut in wells, affecting around 125,000 bpd of crude production. With the storm’s shift eastward, it appears that Francine will avoid most of the Gulf Coast’s 5.8 million bpd of refining capacity.
Mansfield is working to ensure our customer’s tanks are fully stocked in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Mansfield is moving Louisiana to Code Orange, requesting 48-hour notice of new deliveries. We will continue to monitor the storm’s conditions and market impacts while keeping you informed as the situation intensifies.
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