Hurricane Francine was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that brought extensive flooding to parts of the Gulf Coast of Mexico, especially Louisiana in September 2024.

[1] Originating from a tropical wave that was initially spotted in the central Atlantic by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in late August, the disturbance that eventually became Francine began gradually organizing on September 7 as it exited the Yucatán Peninsula into the Bay of Campeche.

On August 26, the NHC noted that a low-pressure area could form in the Central Tropical Atlantic.

[9] Higher wind gusts in the system were enhanced by a barrier jet near the Sierra Madre Oriental.

[13] Despite this, a ragged eye developed on satellite imagery later that morning, leading to a peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane.

At its peak, the storm recorded maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb (28.7 inHg) at 21:00 UTC.

[14] Shortly thereafter, at 22:00 UTC, Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, still maintaining Category 2 strength.

[18][19] Tropical storm watches were issued from Barra del Tordo to the mouth of the Rio Grande.

[42] Several areas in Matamoros flooded from 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain;[43] aid from the Mexican Government was requested as a result.

[43] Exports out to the Gulf of Mexico were disrupted as a result of Francine,[38] and the storm knocked out 39% of oil and natural gas production.

[50] Reductions in production caused crude oil national prices to jump by 2% on September 11.

[51] According to National Centers for Environmental Information (NECI), the damage across the United States was estimated at $1.3 billion.

[53] Francine made landfall in Southern Louisiana, Terrebonne Parish, with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) at 22:00 UTC on September 11.

[56] Francine's winds downed numerous trees and power lines, which resulted in blocked roads.

[59] The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted numerous water rescues northwest of Thibodaux after rising flood waters surrounded multiple housing units, and all residents, including many small children, were safely evacuated.

[64] According to property data company CoreLogic, insured losses caused by Francine could reach $1.5 billion.

As Francine moved further north, it was downgraded to a tropical depression, bringing heavy rainfall to Jackson and central Mississippi.