Hurricane Francine made landfall early Wednesday evening in Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans, as a Category 2 storm, before weakening to a Category 1 hurricane. Latest DevelopmentsSep 11, 11:22 PMFrancine weakens to tropical stormAfter making landfall as a hurricane,

“Should Francine pass closer to the city, the storm’s eyewall, the most intense part of the storm can pass near or over parts of the city, which would increase the risk for wind gusts of 80-100 mph," he added, noting that this could cause widespread and potentially long-lasting power outages.

Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be near 100 mph. Louisiana residents had braced for the storm's impact after Francine strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane. At 8 p.m. local time,