• Louisiana braces as Hurricane Francine set to make landfall
• Storm has escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane
• Both Louisiana and neighbouring Mississippi have declared states of emergency

Louisiana braces as Hurricane Francine set to make landfall

Louisiana is on high alert as Hurricane Francine intensifies over the Gulf of Mexico, with landfall expected on Wednesday.

The storm, which escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday, is projected to strengthen to a Category 2 by the time it reaches Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Both Louisiana and neighbouring Mississippi have declared states of emergency in anticipation of the storm’s impact.

Forecasters are predicting Francine will bring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain, along with possible tornadoes and damaging winds to central and eastern parts of Louisiana.

The NHC also warned of “significant” flash and urban flooding in Louisiana, including New Orleans.