If you are like any other Californian, you may not know a ton about hurricanes. Because let’s be honest, we only have to worry about earthquakes and fires over here on the west coast. However, like many Californians, many are not aware of the hurricane that is taking place in the northern gulf coast and that is affecting US states such as Louisiana and Texas.
According to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, on September 8th, it was designated as a potential tropical cyclone six; however, the following day on September 9th, it strengthened into a tropical storm as it continued to intensify and creep up into Louisiana.
September 11th, 2024 was a very eventful day for this growing tropical storm. On September 11th, this tropical storm was officially declared a category one hurricane. This tropical storm was fueled by the Gulf’s warm waters, and by the morning of September 11th, the hurricane contained winds up to ninety miles per hour. At 4pm central daylight time (CDT) the same day, hurricane Francine strengthened to a category two hurricane with maximum sustained winds over one hundred miles per hour. The storm made landfall about an hour later in Louisiana, and the hurricane caused New Orleans to have six to eight inches of rainfall that same day.
On September 12th, a tornado watch was initiated for the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle as a result of the hurricane. Hurricane Francine is the sixth storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season, and it is the third hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year.
This hurricane has made landfall in US states Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, but this does not mean that the hurricane is not affecting other US states as well, despite not making direct landfall. Texas has been experiencing high percentages of wind, and it is a direct result from the hurricane that is in their neighboring states. Yorba Linda High School’s class of 2024 alumni, Abby Langpap is currently attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and she told The Wrangler, “[she’s] heard a lot about Hurricane Francine since it is affecting Texas’ neighboring states so much, but the most has happened is that they have had very strong winds, and [their] governor warned them about that in advance” (www.nesdis.noaa.gov).
It is always important to stay informed on all of the natural disasters going around in the world, even though it does not affect you directly. There are always ways to help those directly affected, and everyone can start by texting or calling the Red Cross Disaster Relief to help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. As Yorba Linda High School Mustangs, we should always help those in need whenever we can!
