Tropical Storm Francine Strengthens in Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Watch Issued for Louisiana Coast

Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, bringing heavy rain to northeastern Mexico and deep South Texas. The storm is expected to intensify and potentially become a hurricane by Wednesday evening, with forecasters warning of severe weather conditions, including life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain, and damaging winds, particularly in Texas and Louisiana. The storm is taking aim at a stretch of coastline that has yet to fully recover from the damage caused by hurricanes Laura and Delta. Tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued along portions of the Louisiana and Texas coast. The National Hurricane Center has labeled the storm as a potential tropical cyclone, with forecasters expecting it to reach a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall.