People in the New Orleans area watched Tropical Storm Francine with caution on Monday as it gained strength in the Gulf, hoping to avoid its worst effects when it is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, but taking precautions nonetheless.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Francine developed into a tropical storm early Monday with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph (80 kph). It is expected to become a Category 1 storm by Wednesday and is expected to make landfall in the evening, possibly south of the Lafayette area, but much is still uncertain.

A hurricane warning was issued for a large portion of coastal Louisiana, from Cameron Parish in the southwest to Grand Isle. A tropical storm warning was issued for the east from High Island, Texas, to Cameron Parish, and from Grand Isle to the mouth of the Pearl River, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

“The certainty that this storm will have significant to life-threatening impacts in parts of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi continues to grow,” National Weather Service meteorologists said.

Meteorologists warned of possible damaging winds, especially west of I-55, which could include damage to mobile homes and roofs, as well as downed trees and power outages.

While the impact on New Orleans was not yet clear, some residents did not want to take any chances.

Jim Smith, an Uptown resident who was buying bottled water and snacks at Walmart on Monday, said he was undecided about whether to stay or go. Just to be safe, he booked a hotel in Pensacola, Florida, for his girlfriend and three dogs. Smith, 36, who has lived in New Orleans his entire life, said Hurricane Katrina completely changed his mindset about storm preparation.

“Anyone who has experienced this knows that you have to be a little more prepared,” he said. “We used to throw parties and stuff. Not anymore.”

Local officials prepare

State and local authorities monitored the storm and made early preparations, sharing information, deciding next steps and planning sandbag distribution.

“We are currently conducting conference calls and updates with all of our state partners, the National Weather Service and all of our local officials. We want to make sure everyone has the information they need to take all necessary steps before the storm makes landfall,” said Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The state’s emergency operations center was partially activated Monday. Starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday, it will be fully activated for 24-hour operations for an “indefinite duration” depending on the response and recovery from the storm, Steele said.

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness was monitoring the storm, speaking with public safety officials and determining necessary next steps, spokeswoman Emma Skilbred said. A news conference with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and NOHSEP Director Collin Arnold was scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Jefferson Parish scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m. to discuss storm preparations.

In St. Charles Parish, authorities did not expect Francine to cause the same damage as Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 hurricane that devastated the parish in 2021 with winds over 100 mph. But the storm’s eastward shift will put the parish at risk of sustained tropical winds, Parish President Matthew Jewell said.

Authorities are expected to open sandbagging stations on the east and west banks the next day. In the meantime, residents should begin tying down items or clearing away loose items around their homes. Residents should also take out their trash when it is picked up on Tuesday, Jewell said.

If residents notice problems in ditches or canals, such as clogged culverts, they are asked to report the problem by calling 985-783-5050, Jewell said.

“Our construction crews will be checking the sewers and pumping stations to make sure everything is in top condition. We want residents to do the same around their homes,” Jewell said.

St. John the Baptist Parish said sandbag distribution sites would be open Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Self-service locations include:

• St. John Community Center in LaPlace

• Railroad Avenue Fire Station (near Riverside Academy) in reserve

• Ezekiel Jackson Park in Garyville

• Juan Anthony Joseph Memorial Park in Edgard

• Wallace Fire Station

• Lucy Fire Station

• Pleasure Bend Fire Station

Pre-filled sandbags for the elderly and disabled were provided at 425 Captain G. Bourgeois in LaPlace.

Entergy also made preparations for significant power outages and the need to quickly deploy teams to resolve them.

“With just days to go before the system hits the coast, Entergy’s Louisiana utilities are urging customers to prepare for possible power outages,” authorities said in a statement. “Now is the time to finalize personal storm plans and assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies.”

Closures announced

With the storm approaching, closures are to be expected, some of which have already been announced.

The University of Holy Cross will transition to virtual instruction and operations Wednesday through Saturday and plans to reopen campus on Monday.

The Coast Guard reminded boaters that its rescue capabilities may be limited or unavailable at the height of a storm. It also warned that a hurricane’s dangerous weather conditions can cover an area of ​​hundreds of miles.

“Mariners and boaters are urged to monitor the storm’s progress and take action to protect themselves and their boats,” it said. “Extremely high seas, heavy rains and damaging winds that accompany tropical storms and hurricanes pose a serious danger to the public.”

Staff writers Josie Abugov, Michelle Hunter, Alyse Pfeil, Anthony McAuley, Poet Wolfe and Victor Andrews contributed to this report.