STORM WATCH: Gov. Greg Abbott talks storm prep as Francine strengthens into a hurricane

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HOUSTON TEXTAS -- Gov. Greg Abbott and other Texas officials provided an update on preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Francine, which could strengthen into a hurricane before landfall.

NEW ORLEANS – Tropical Storm Francine is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday evening in the Gulf of Mexico and will threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast with flooding rain, a life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds from East Texas to Mississippi.

The current National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast calls for a dangerous Category 2 hurricane landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for people in multiple parishes as state and local leaders have urged people to prepare for the storm's fury.

"Now is the time for Louisianans to prepare for impacts from Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to become a hurricane … so get your game plan in place, monitor the news, and take advice from local officials," said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, issuing a state of emergency that allows parishes statewide to have the resources needed to help protect the lives of residents.