Tropical system in the Gulf expected to strengthen into hurricane before landfall in Louisiana

A tropical system raging in the southern Gulf of Mexico is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Francine on Monday and head toward Louisiana on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of Texas and hurricane warnings are expected to be issued for parts of the Gulf Coast later today.

According to forecasts, the storm is expected to intensify significantly during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday and become a Category 1 hurricane with wind speeds of almost 129 km/h.

The storm could then make landfall in western Louisiana late Wednesday afternoon or early evening as a possible Category 1 hurricane, weather officials said.

Storm surges, rain flooding and hurricane-force winds are expected from Port Arthur, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, officials said.

Parts of Louisiana are forecast to receive 30 cm of rain, and up to 130 cm in East Texas.

Officials say heavy rains with the risk of flooding will spread to New Orleans and the Mississippi Valley in the north, as well as the Mid-South as far as Jackson, Mississippi, and even Memphis, Tennessee, by Thursday.