Tropical Storm Francine to Affect Gulf Coast of the United States: September 2024 Travel Alert

Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Francine to affect the Gulf Coast of the United States September 2024, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if this region is in your travel plans over the next few days.

Tropical Storm Francine to Affect Gulf Coast of the United States: September 2024 Travel Alert

Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Francine — which is currently approximately 150 miles south southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and moving north northwest at a speed of seven miles per hour — are at 65 miles per hour, which means that it is currently just shy of becoming a Category 1 hurricane. Landfall of what is forecast to become Hurricane Francine is expected to occur somewhere in the sparsely inhabited area of Pecan Island of the state of Louisiana as soon as the early hours of the afternoon on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Significant precipitation of up to twelve inches is possible in across portions of the Gulf Coast of the United States and northeastern Mexico, which is expected to result in considerably significant urban flooding and flash flooding.

Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting much of the southeastern United States. A dangerous storm surge of as high as ten feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding of portions of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.

Expect windy conditions to occur over much of the western half of the Gulf Coast of the United States and northeastern Mexico. An isolated tornado is possible — especially in southern Louisiana.

The outermost bands of Tropical Storm Francine are already currently affecting portions of northeastern Mexico and southeastern Texas as the storm passes adjacent along these coasts and strengthens to a Category 1 hurricane.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from:

• Sabine Pass eastward to Morgan City

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Louisiana coast from:

• Morgan City eastward to Grand Isle

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the:

• Louisiana coast from Morgan City to Grand Isle
• Texas coast from High Island to Sabine Pass

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Florida from:

• Barra del Tordo to the mouth of the Rio Grande
• Mouth of the Rio Grande to High Island Texas
• East of Grand Isle in Louisiana to the mouth of the Pearl River — including the greater metropolitan area of New Orleans
• Lake Pontchartrain
• Lake Maurepas

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

• High Island in Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana
• Vermilion Bay

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

• Mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to the border which is shared by Mississippi and Alabama
• Lake Maurepas
• Lake Pontchartrain

Significant precipitation of up to 15 inches is possible in across portions of Florida and the southeastern United States, which is expected to result in considerable urban flooding and flash flooding.

Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting much of the gulf coast of Florida. A storm surge of as high as five feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding of portions of southwestern Florida.

Expect windy conditions to occur over much of the state of Florida. An isolated tornado is possible — especially in the area where landfall will occur.

See also

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to weaken somewhat after landfall in northern Florida; but once it crosses southeastern Georgia, it is expected to reemerge over the Atlantic Ocean and move along close to the eastern coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.

Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations

If you are traveling to or from the Gulf Coast of the United States, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.

Here are nine airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:

• American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 16 airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Friday, September 13, 2024; and Tuesday, September 17, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Wednesday, September 11, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• United Airlines has issued travel alerts for eleven airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Thursday, September 26, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for four airports in three states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024.
• Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for Houston, New Orleans, and Pensacola for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024; and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Air Canada has issued a travel alert for New Orleans for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 through Thursday, September 12, 2024.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in four states for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 through Wednesday, September 11, 2024; and Saturday, September 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.

Final Boarding Call

Do not be surprised if additional airlines issue travel waivers or alerts.

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Photograph ©2024 by Brian Cohen.