CBS NEWS TEXAS. >> GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRESS. GOOD STUFF. >>> TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE PICKING UP SPEED AND STRENGTHENING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON THE NORTHEAST TRACK TOWARDS LOUISIANA. >> THAT IS WHERE FOLKS ARE BRACING. JASON ALLEN IS THERE TONIGHT ALONG THE LAKE. HOW IS IT FEELING? AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AREA ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS, BUT IT NEVER GETS EASIER TO GET READY. >> Reporter: IT DOESN'T. THEY GET USED TO IT. THEY HAD THEIR PLAN IN PLACE AND IT HAS BEEN THIS WEATHER FOR MOST OF THE DAY HERE. ON AND OFF RAIN. THIS IS AN AREA THAT THE FORECASTS ARE CALLING TO POTENTIALLY COME UP 3 TO 5 FEET, WHICH WILL GET THE WATER TO WHERE YOU SEE IT AND MAYBE ON THE SIDEWALK. IT WOULD HAVE TO GET HIGHER THAN THAT TO GET OVER THIS NEXT BUMP , THEN HIRED TO GET TO WHERE THE LEVEES ARE ACROSS THE STREET. THIS IS AN AREA PROTECTED BY THE LEVEE , SO IT'S IN FAIRLY GOOD SHAPE AND IT WILL LOOK DIFFERENT 24 HOURS FROM NOW . AS FAR AS THE WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE PREPARING, NOT A LOT OF BOARDING UP OF THE WINDOWS OR DOORS AS WE SAW COMING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THERE WERE LINES FOR SANDBAGS IN THE AREA , BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT OF A STORM. THIS IS NOT ONE THAT WE HAVE WATCHED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN AND WRAP UP TO A MAJOR AND GIVE PEOPLE TIME TO PREPARE , BUT IT JUST SPUN UP IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. OFFICIALS ARE TELLING PEOPLE TO TAKE PRECAUTION. HE HAD A PLAN IN PLACE AND YOU ARE READY FOR THINGS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND SCHOOLS HAVE CLOSED. THEY WILL BE SHUT DOWN TOMORROW, THURSDAY AND IT'S A WAY AND SEE TO SEE WHERE FRANCINE ACTUALLY GOES SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HERE AND