National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Francine struck the Louisiana coast Wednesday evening as a dangerous Category 2 storm that rapidly knocked out electricity to more than 100,000 customers and threatened widespread flooding as it sent potentially deadly storm surge rushing inland along the northern U.S. Gulf Coast. The hurricane center said parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle were at risk of considerable flash and urban flooding in coming days.

“National Preparedness Month” is recognized throughout September, and Governor Kay Ivey is urging all Alabamians to create a plan and be prepared before disaster strikes. This comes as Hurricane Francine is barreling toward Louisiana and an expected landfall.

Hurricane Francine is barreling toward Louisiana with an expected landfall with potentially deadly storm surge, destructive winds and widespread flooding. Alabama is also at risk of “considerable” flash and urban flooding.

Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was expected to drench the Texas coast with rain before coming ashore in Louisiana as a hurricane on Wednesday night. Alabama's forecast includes heavier rain later this week.

Alabama is entering what’s considered to be the most active part of this year’s hurricane season. Forecasters are pointing to Hurricane Camille as an example of how bad things can get. It was this week back in 1969, when this storm brushed by Alabama creating storm surges that were ten feet above normal on Dauphin Island. It was the second most powerful storm ever to hit the U.S.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami is keeping an eye on a system that could become Tropical Storm Ernesto early this week. The agency says there’s an 80% chance the area of disturbed weather could develop into a named storm. This comes as the center reminds Alabama Gulf coast residents and the nation that elements are lining up to make the peak of the 2024 hurricane season especially active.

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is ready to help with storm recovery efforts on the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Debby has made landfall in northern Florida as a Category 1 storm, bringing with it the potential for record-setting rains, catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge.

Alabama Emergency Managers are warning beach goers that the current tropical storm Debby could generate stronger rip tides along the Gulf coast as it threatens Florida’s “big bend” area. The system is expected to grow into hurricane strength before making landfall in the Sunshine State.

Hurricane Beryl roared through open waters on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 storm heading toward Jamaica after earlier making landfall in the southeast Caribbean, killing at least six people. A hurricane warning was in effect for Jamaica and a hurricane watch for Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and for Haiti's entire southern coast.

As victims of Hurricane Idalia’s destruction receive help and donations, pets are not being left out. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is working to transport pet supplies to pet owners who lost their homes in the storm.