tropical storm Francine is currently brewing in the western Gulf of Mexico and it's gearing up to slam into the Louisiana and Texas coasts by Wednesday expected to strengthen into a hurricane Francine's impacts will be felt well before it makes landfall we're talking heavy rainfall strong winds and dangerous storm surges if you're in the path now is the time to act secure your property gather essential supplies and pay close attention to local warnings remember it's not just about the coast flooding and severe weather could extend far inland reaching as far as the mid Mississippi and Ohio valleys don't wait until it's too late stay informed stay prepared and most importantly stay safe Francine's on her way and she means business next are some pictorials depicting probabilities of wind and track tropical storm Francine which formed in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday night or early Wednesday it is projected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast with potential impacts on Texas as well the storm is moving over exceptionally warm Waters which could cause it to intensify quickly forecasts predict Heavy Rain high winds and a dangerous storm surge especially in coastal areas flash flooding is a significant concern with up to a foot of rain possible in some regions the storm is expected to intensify quickly due to very warm Gulf Waters possibly becoming a hurricane by Tuesday night before making landfall on Wednesday along the Louisiana coast a hurricane watch is in effect from Cameron to Grand Isle with tropical storm watches across Texas Northeastern Mexico and Southern Louisiana Francine is forecast to bring 4 to 8 in of rain storm surge up to 10 ft and a high risk of flash flooding flooding and strong winds are likely Across the Western Gulf Coast stay tuned for more information as Francine continues to move