ST. JOHNS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Residents from Texas to the Florida Panhandle should prepare for the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Francine, which is forecast to make landfall along the Northern Gulf Coast on Wednesday, Sept. 11, as a hurricane, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
Francine will be the fourth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and third landfalling tropical cyclone in the U.S. this year. Hurricane Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Texas on July 8. Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida on Aug. 5 and made a second landfall as a tropical storm in South Carolina on Aug. 8. It is the first Atlantic named storm to form since Ernesto on Aug. 12.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a Hurricane Watch for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to Grand Isle. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for other areas of Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from High Island, Texas to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
“Francine is forecast to slowly intensify today and more rapidly intensify tomorrow as it approaches the Northern Gulf Coast,” Triple-I non-resident scholar Phil Klotzbach, PhD, a senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, said in a brief video update on Monday.
Klotzbach added, “In addition to the wind threat from Francine, storm surge will also be a significant threat. The storm will also be a heavy rainfall producer with estimates of 4-8 inches for the Southern Texas and Far Upper Texas Coast, as well as the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines with totals up to 12 inches possible.”
In an advisory today, the NHC warned of “the risk of considerable flash flooding” from the Mexico/Texas border to Southern Mississippi into Thursday morning, Sept. 12. The NHC also noted a risk of flash and urban flooding exists across portions of the Mid-South from Wednesday into Friday morning, Sept. 13. Francine is expected to impact areas from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest through this weekend as it tracks northward after making landfall.
Preparedness Tips
The Triple-I offers preparedness tips for all residents in the path of Francine:
- Review your evacuation plan and, if you have a pet, your pet's evacuation plan
- Make sure your hurricane kit includes a minimum 14-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water (one gallon per person, per day) for all family members and pets, as well as a two-week supply of medications for everyone in your household
- Write down the name and phone number of your insurer and insurance professional and keep this information either in your wallet or purse
- Purchase emergency supplies, such as batteries and flashlights
- Fully charge your cell phones so you can receive weather alerts
- Prepare your yard by removing all outdoor furniture, lawn items, planters and other materials that could become airborne due to high winds
- Fill your vehicle’s gasoline tank
Damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms are covered under different insurance policies, according to the Triple-I:
- Wind-caused property damage is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Renters’ insurance covers a renter’s possessions while the landlord insures the structure.
- Property damage to a home, a renter’s possessions, and a business – resulting from a flood – is generally covered under either a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program policy or a private flood policy, if the homeowner, renter or business has purchased one. Dozens of private insurers offer flood insurance in addition to FEMA.
- Private-passenger vehicles damaged or destroyed by either wind or flooding are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Approximately 80% of U.S. drivers choose to purchase comprehensive coverage.
TRIPLE-I HURRICANE SEASON RESOURCES
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