FOR YOU. >>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR CBS NEWS TEXAS AT 11:00, I AM KAREN BORTA. NOW TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE IS MOVING INLAND AFTER STRIKING THE GULF COAST AS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOUISIANA CUSTOMERS ARE WITHOUT POWER AND IN MANY AREAS RESIDENTS ARE WAITING FOR FLOODWATERS TO RECEDE SO THEY CAN SURVEY THE DAMAGE. DAVE MALKOFF REPORTS FROM LOUISIANA. >> Reporter: THE RAIN FELL AND SPARKS FLEW WITH A TRANSFORMER REPORTEDLY EXPLODING. >> IT IS VERY, VERY WINDY. >> Reporter: FRANCINE MADE LANDFALL IN THE STATE AS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE, WEAKENING TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT REACHED NEW ORLEANS. THE FLOOD PROTECTION AUTHORITY SAYS IT CLOSED 52 FLOODGATES TO PROTECT AGAINST STORM SURGE, BUT THE STREETS LOOK LIKE AN OCEAN. DOWNED TREES AND STREET SIGNS. MORE THAN 300,000 LOUISIANA CUSTOMERS ARE WITHOUT POWER. FIRST RESPONDERS TRIED TO CLEAR WHAT THEY COULD, EVEN WITH THE BLOWING WIND. >> THE ROOF WAS TORN APART. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT IS PEELED BACK LIKE AN OLD-FASHIONED SARDINE CAN. >> Reporter: THIS STORE IS GONE. >> IT IS SERIOUS FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, BECAUSE IT IS MAYBE THE MOST AFFORDABLE PLACE FOR ANYONE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO SHOP. >> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TOLD CBS NEWS MANY DEATHS OCCUR AFTER A HURRICANE, BECAUSE PEOPLE GO INTO FLOODED AREAS, GETTING TOO CLOSE TO POWER LINES AND USING GENERATORS IN AN UNSAFE WAY. LOUISIANA'S GOVERNOR TOLD EVERYONE TO WATCH OUT. >> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE ROADWAY. THAT IS NECESSARY TO PUT THE VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE BACK IN PLACE SO YOU CAN GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIVES. >> Reporter: THE REMNANTS OF FRANCINE ARE SPINNING NORTHWARDS WITH TORNADO THREATS AS FAR EAST AS FLORIDA.