Hurricane Francine is barreling toward Louisiana and an expected landfall amid forecasts of a potentially deadly storm surge, destructive winds and widespread flooding. Francine reached Category 1 hurricane status Tuesday night after gaining strength from warm Gulf waters. The National Hurricane Center says Francine might even reach Category 2 strength with winds of 96 to 110 mph before landfall Wednesday afternoon or evening. Louisiana's governor warned residents to complete last storm preparations before a 24-hour window closed — and not rush outside after the hurricane's landfall. A hurricane warning is in effect from the Louisiana border with Texas eastward to Grand Isle, about 50 miles south of New Orleans.
