Hurricane Francine Update for the Alabama Gulf Coast

R. Ken Cooper • September 11, 2024

Hurricane Francine has made landfall near Morgan City, LA.

Hurricane Francine 7pm Final Update

FINAL Update at 7:00pm: As of the 7pm update on Wednesday, September 11th, Hurricane Francine has made landfall near Morgan City, LA.  Winds have diminished to 85mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. It is moving to the northeast at 17 mph.

Hurricane Francine 4pm Update

Update at 4:00pm: As of the 4pm update on Wednesday, September 11th, Hurricane Francine’s winds are now at 100mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. Landfall is forecast to take place around 7pm near Morgan City, Louisiana with winds around 100mph. Hurricane Francine is now moving at 17mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast since Tuesday’s 10am forecast. We are still under a Tropical Storm Warning with a forecasted surge of 2–4 feet.

Hurricane Francine 1pm Update

Update at 1:00pm: As of the 1pm update on Wednesday, September 11th, Hurricane Francine’s winds are still at 90mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. Landfall is forecast around 7pm near Morgan City, Louisiana with winds around 90mph. Hurricane Francine is now moving at 16mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast since Tuesday’s 10am forecast. We are still under a Tropical Storm Warning with a forecasted surge of 2–4 feet.

Hurricane Francine 10am Update on 9-11-2024

Update at 10:00am: As of the 10am update on Wednesday, September 11th, Hurricane Francine’s winds are still at 90mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. Landfall is still expected this afternoon with the center line of the forecast traveling just west of New Orleans. Hurricane Francine is now moving at 13mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast since Tuesday’s 10am forecast. We are still under a Tropical Storm Warning with a forecasted surge of 2–4 feet.


Hurricane Francine 7am Update on 9-11-2024

Update at 7:00am: As of the 7am update on Wednesday, September 11th, Hurricane Francine’s winds are still at 90mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. Landfall is still expected this afternoon with the center line of the forecast traveling just west of New Orleans and just east of Baton Rouge. Hurricane Francine is now moving at 12mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast since Tuesday’s 10am forecast. We are still under a Tropical Storm Warning with a forecasted surge of 2–4 feet.

Hurricane Francine 4am Update

Update at 4:00am: As of the 4am update on September 11th, Hurricane Francine’s winds are still at 90mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update on Tuesday. Landfall is still expected just to the west of New Orleans. Hurricane Francine is still moving at 10mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Francine 1am update on 9-11-2024

Update at 1:00am: As of the 1am update, Hurricane Francine now has sustained winds at 90mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update Tuesday morning. Landfall is still expected to be just west of New Orleans. Hurricane Francine is maintaining its speed and direction at 10mph to the Northeast. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Francine Update at 10pm on 9-10-2024

Update at 10:00pm: As of the 10pm update, Hurricane Francine still has sustained winds of 75mph and is still tracking to the Northeast at 10mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update, showing it making landfall west of New Orleans. 


No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Francine 7pm Update

Update at 7:00pm: As of the 7pm update, Francine is now a Hurricane with sustained winds of 75mph. The forecast track has remained steady since the 10am update, showing it making landfall west of New Orleans. Hurricane Francine is still moving at 10mph to the Northeast. 



No changes in the forecast for the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Francine September 10th update at 4pm.

Update at 4:00pm: As of the 4pm update from the National Hurricane Center, Francis is still a tropical storm with 65 mph winds. It has picked up to 10 mph in movement to the Northeast. 


The forecast track hasn’t changed since the 10am update, but the Alabama Gulf Coast has gone from being under a Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning. A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical storm conditions, such as sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, are possible within a designated area, usually within 48 hours. It signals that residents should prepare and stay informed. A Tropical Storm Warning, on the other hand, is issued when such conditions are expected within 36 hours, indicating that the threat is imminent, and precautionary measures should be completed.


We are still forecast to see a 2-4 foot surge.

Tropical Storm Francine Surge Map at 4pm.
Tropical Storm Francine Update at 10am.

Update at 10:00am: As of the 10am update from the National Hurricane center Francine is still a tropical storm with 65 mph winds, traveling NNE at 8 mph. The forecast track has shifted a little further east from previous forecasts. If this forecast track holds true, New Orleans will feel more of the effects of Hurricane Francine. 


The slight shift to the east in the forecast track has put the Alabama Gulf Coast under a Tropical Storm Watch and it has increased our forecasted surge to 2–4 feet.

Francine Storm Surge Forecast at 10am
Tropical Storm Francine Forecast

Original Article:


Orange Beach, Ala. – (
OBA) – T.S. Francine is forecast to become a Hurricane later this morning. The 7am advisory has Francine’s maximum winds at 65 mph and it’s moving at 5 mph to the north. The Francine is forecast to make landfall as a Cat.2 hurricane between New Orleans and Lake Charles, Louisiana on Wednesday morning.


The primary impacts for our area will be strong rip currents, high surf, marine advisories. Depending on what the rain bands do, we could see potentially heavy rain, minor coastal flooding, gusty winds, and the potential for waterspouts along the coast and tornadoes inland. We are expected to have a 1-3 foot storm surge from Francine.

Storm Surge Forecast

Bullet Points:

  • High risk of rip currents Tuesday through Friday night
  • High surf advisory Wednesday through Thursday night
  • Minor coastal flooding in coastal Alabama Wednesday into Thursday
  • Locally heavy rains and potential for localized flash flooding from Wednesday into Thursday
  • Isolated tornadoes are possible from Wednesday into Thursday


Webpages for Weather:


Be Prepared:

Hurricane Francine serves as a good reminder for residents along the Alabama Gulf Coast to stay vigilant and prepared during hurricane season. Even when a storm seems distant, the unpredictable nature of hurricanes can lead to sudden changes in intensity or direction, as seen in past storms, like Hurricane Sally. Preparedness is key to minimizing damage and ensuring the safety of you and your family. 

Here are some important steps to take in preparation for hurricane season:



  • Create an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and flashlights.
  • Secure outdoor items such as patio furniture or loose debris that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • Review your evacuation plan and know the evacuation routes for your area and the location of the nearest shelters.
  • Stay informed by monitoring local weather updates and having battery-powered radios.
  • Prepare your home when a hurricane threatens your area by boarding windows and doors, especially if you live in coastal or flood-prone areas.
  • Check on Family & Friends, particularly the elderly and those with medical conditions, to ensure they have a safe evacuation plan and necessary supplies. These individuals may need extra assistance preparing for or responding to a storm.
  • Check your insurance coverage to ensure you're protected against hurricane-related damages.


For more detailed information on hurricane preparedness, visit the NOAA Hurricane Preparedness website.


Orange Beach Forecast

Share this article w/ Friends...

Your Week at the Beach: Art, Boats & a Little Mullet Mayhem
By Jessica A. Taylor April 20, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — If your calendar's looking bleak, don’t worry–we’ve got just the fix. This week, along the Alabama Gulf Coast brings a perfectly balanced mix of culture, adventure, and just the right amount of quirky fun. You can start things off surrounded by inspiring artwork, cruise into dolphin...
Orange Beach Looks to Rework Former Toll Bridge After New Span Opens
By John Mullen April 20, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is looking to hire Volkert Engineering to study options for improving traffic flow on the former toll bridge. City officials have hinted that the objective is to develop southbound access in Orange Beach by The Wharf after the new bridge to the west opens and traffic on the Ora
Foley City Hall
By John Mullen April 20, 2026
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – The city is looking to add more amenities to the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market on Miflin Road in Foley. To expand event offerings, Foley is considering adding a commercial kitchen on the site. McCollough Architecture has submitted plans and will present them at a council meeting.
Gulf Shores City Hall
By John Mullen April 20, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Spring break and the summer season are blossoming for 2026, but plans are already in the works to bring visitors back to the Alabama Gulf Coast for fun this fall. Upcoming events are athletic events, auto-show drive-ins, and a food truck festival. Three of those are coming up soon, and we...
Temporary Lane Closure Planned On Orange Beach Boulevard
By OBA Staff April 19, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Overnight lane restrictions are planned on a busy stretch of Orange Beach Boulevard as the city works on an underground sewer line. The work will affect drivers heading south on Highway 161 just south of City Hall. Motorists are asked to slow down and exercise extra caution in the area.
100 Miles Fitness Push In Orange Beach
By OBA Staff April 19, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — An outdoor fitness event in Orange Beach invites residents to get moving and explore nature while participating in a statewide challenge. The City of Orange Beach and the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail are partnering to host a local kickoff for the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge.
Pop-Up Farmers Market Showcases Gulf Coast Vendors
By OBA Staff April 18, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Fresh produce, handmade foods, and local vendors will gather at Waterfront Park in Orange Beach for the return of the city’s pop-up farmers market. The Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department invites residents and visitors to enjoy a day at the park, where they can meet growers and sm
Orange Beach Gears Up For Bama Coast Cruisin' Weekend
By OBA Staff April 18, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Bama Coast Cruisin' is set to bring the rumble of engines and the gleam of chrome back to The Wharf in Orange Beach as the popular car show returns for another year. The event has become a tradition for auto enthusiasts and families who enjoy walking among classic and custom vehicles along
Golfers Set to Gather at Kiva Dunes for Joey Jones Classic
By OBA Staff April 18, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Golfers and community supporters are gearing up for the fifth annual Joey Jones Golf Classic, set to bring excitement and fellowship to the Gulf Shores area. The event promises a full day of golf, great food, and friendly competition on one of the region’s most scenic courses.
City of Foley Plans Turn Lanes on Juniper Street
By Guy Busby April 17, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley looks to add new turn lanes on South Juniper Street to ease growing traffic in the southeast part of the city. The project centers on the busy stretch near Iberville Square, where drivers often face delays. City officials say the changes should make the road safer and smoother...
Show More