CHARLOTTE — Francine made landfall Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane near Morgan City in southern Louisiana.
Maximum sustained winds are about 100 mph and the storm is moving northeast at 17 mph.
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: A first responder drives through town after the power went down on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Lekenya McKay sweeps floodwater out of her home on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 12: People assess wreckage after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 12, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall yesterday afternoon along the Louisiana coast. Francine brought upward wind speeds of 90mph, flooding, rolling blackouts and widespread damage along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 12: A family prepares to exit their hotel during a blackout after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 12, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall yesterday afternoon along the Louisiana coast. Francine brought upward wind speeds of 90mph, flooding, rolling blackouts and widespread damage along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: A first responder drives through town after the power went down on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: A fallen tree blocks an intersection on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 12: Carolyn Miller sits in her hotel room during a blackout after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 12, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. "All of the other storms I didn't have to worry about oxygen, but this one because I'm on it has made it more challenging. I got so scared when the electricity went out, oh lord I didn't know what to do and I'm still scared. It's frightening being on oxygen with no power. I'm really scared for my life... I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy," said Miller. Hurricane Francine was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall yesterday afternoon along the Louisiana coast. Francine brought upward wind speeds of 90mph, flooding, rolling blackouts and widespread damage along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: First Responders with the Coteau Fire District coordinate while clearing debris after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Isaiah Brown sits in his room under battery-powered ornaments after the power went down in his neighborhood on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: A fallen tree blocks an intersection on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Floodwater fills a neighborhood on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Lekenya McKay sweeps floodwater out of her home on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Signage is strewn across the intersection after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 11: Isaiah Brown comforts his younger brother Malachi after their power went down in the Polk Street neighborhood on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and continues to make landfall along the Louisiana coast. Weather analysts are predicting 90mph winds near the eye and a strong storm surge along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Hurricane Francine HOUMA, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 12: A damaged power line hangs after Hurricane Francine swept through the area on September 12, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall yesterday afternoon along the Louisiana coast. Francine brought upward wind speeds of 90mph, flooding, rolling blackouts and widespread damage along the coast. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Tropical Weather National Guardsmen clear trees after arriving in Morgan City, La., on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 after Hurricane Francine. (AP Photo/Jack Brook) (Jack Brook/AP)
Tropical Weather Siblings Avery, 10, and Grace LeBlanc, 7, canoe in their backyard next to playground equipment after flooding from Hurricane Francine in Montz, La., in St. Charles Parish, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Stalled cars sit at a flooded intersection in New Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 12,, 2024, the morning after Hurricane Francine hit the city. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill) (Kevin McGill/AP)
Tropical Weather Will Swan walks through storm debris in his neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Carter Caldwell bikes through his family's flooded property just south of Houma, La. after Hurricane Francine tore through the area, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Brook) (Jack Brook/AP)
Tropical Weather Two vehicle on Olive street are flooded during Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune via AP) (David Grunfeld/AP)
Tropical Weather A bent stop sign is seen at Neyrey Dr. and W. Napoleon Ave where water from the W. Napoleon drainage canal overtopped after a deluge of rain from Hurricane Francine in Metairie, La., in Jefferson Parish, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Pamela Miller walks around a tree that fell on her house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Rick Armstrong removes metal roofing that flew from a restaurant about a block from his house and onto his truck in his driveway during Hurricane Francine on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 in Houma, La. (Chris Granger /The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather A Houma police officer removes debris from the entrance to a neighborhood in Houma, La., the morning after Hurricane Francine crossed into south Louisiana on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Chris Granger /The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather People line up for food and gas at a convenience store in Houma, La., the morning after Hurricane Francine crossed into south Louisiana on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Chris Granger /The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather Geral (cq) Hammond pedals through flood water from Hurricane Francine near the entrance to the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, La., in Jefferson Parish, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather A Kenner police vehicle drives past a fallen tree after Hurricane Francine in Kenner, La., in Jefferson Parish, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Geral (cq) Hammond looks at flood water from Hurricane Francine near the entrance to the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, La., in Jefferson Parish, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather A building is damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather A building is damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Residents walk past a tree that fell on a house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Kim Haines surveys a tree that fell on. Her neighbor's house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Ron Rhodes cleans up tree debris in front of his house in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, in Morgan City, La., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather A mangled tree blocks covers part of the street in front of a house in New Orleans' Carrollton neighborhood as Hurricane Francine hit the city with high winds and flooding rain on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kevin McGill) (Kevin McGill/AP)
APTOPIX Tropical Weather People watch Hurricane Francine from inside the Sheraton on Canal Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (David Grunfield/AP)
Tropical Weather Rainfall from Hurricane Francine makes the white roof of the Caesars Superdome, left, difficult to see in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather The W. Napoleon Ave drainage canal, behind guard rail, is about even with the road which is submerged with floodwaters. The W. Napoleon drainage canal overtopped after a deluge of rain from Hurricane Francine in Metairie, La., in Jefferson Parish, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather An air mattress blows in wind from Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
APTOPIX Tropical Weather The entrance to Lake Ponchartrain Causeway is closed due to Hurricane Francine in Metairie, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The causeway is the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Orleans Levee District Police patrol Lakeshore Drive along Lake Ponchartrain as wind and rain pick up from Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Orleans Levee District Police patrol Lakeshore Drive along Lake Ponchartrain as wind and rain pick up from Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Cameron Henry looks at the water build up from Hurricane Francine in front of the levee protection, background, along Lakeshore Drive along Lake Ponchartrain in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Conrad Bach gets doused with lake water while looking at waves from the wind and rain from Hurricane Francine along Lakeshore Drive along Lake Ponchartrain in New Orleans, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Signage bends in the wind as Hurricane Francine passes through Morgan City, La., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Lazaro Cardoso, 11, leans far into the powerful winds coming from the eye wall of Hurricane Francine as he and his dad, Hugo Gonzales, stay at a hotel Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Houma, La., that was being powered by a generator. The family lives not far from the hotel but they decided to stay at it since they said they always lose power during powerful storms. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather Melanie Galindo's hair flies in the swirl of fast-moving air as the eye wall of Hurricane Francine crosses into the Houma area in Louisiana on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. (Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather Hotels guests at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites step out to look at some of the damage, top center, to the hotel as the eye of Hurricane Francine moves over the area causing a short respite in the rain, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in in Houma, La. (Chris Grange/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Tropical Weather Rising water has no where to go around a drainage opening, center, in Dulac as the effects of Hurricane Francine are felt along the Louisiana coast on Wednesday, Sept.11, 2024. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (Chris Granger/AP)
Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds are impacting Louisiana.
A hurricane warning was in effect along the Louisiana coast from the border with Texas eastward to Grand Isle, about 50 miles south of New Orleans, and a tropical storm warning extended eastward from there to the mouth of the Pearl River, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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How it will impact the Carolinas
In the Carolinas, skies will stay mild and calm through Wednesday but become more unsettled by Thursday night, according to Severe Weather Center 9.
The region will start to see a few light showers ahead of Francine and then that rain will become more widespread on Friday. The exact timing and rainfall amounts are still subject to change, but as of right now, impacts from Francine look minor.
West of Interstate 77 will see the most rain, with early amounts pushing over 2 inches. On average, totals look less than 1 inch.
Highs will trend below average in the upper 70s and 80s for the end of the week and into the weekend.
Long-term models are hinting at a system off the Carolina coast that may develop and bring a bigger rain threat our way early next week. But stay tuned, the tropics are waking up.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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