Hurricane Tracker 2024 News Release. After pounding parts of louisiana, including new orleans, with heavy rain that flooded streets and homes, francine weakened from a hurricane to a. In a news release, the.

(ap) — francine weakened thursday after striking louisiana as a category 2 hurricane that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, sent storm surge rushing into coastal communities and raised flood fears in new orleans and beyond as drenching rains spread over the northern gulf coast. All preparations should be complete.