Francine reaches hurricane strength, making her way toward Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — — Francine has strengthened into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and is advancing toward Louisiana.

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The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday night that Francine powered up its maximum sustained winds to 75 mph and gained hurricane status about 350 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.

A hurricane warning is in effect along the Louisiana coast from the border with Texas eastward to Grand Isle, about 50 miles south of New Orleans.

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Storm surge warnings also are in effect in Texas and Louisiana.

Francine is the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

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Evacuation orders have been issued in some coastal Louisiana communities and residents have begun filling sandbags in preparation for heavy rains and widespread flooding.

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