Hurricane Francine: ‘Almost Every Road’ Impassable as Louisiana Battered

One meteorologist has deemed “almost every road” in Metairie, Louisiana, impassable after Hurricane Francine battered the coastal community on Wednesday night.
Francine became the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season on Monday. It formed after an unexpected lull in tropical activity that followed Hurricane Ernesto, which never made landfall in the United States. However, it created a life-threatening risk of rip currents along the East Coast.
Meteorologists predicted an exceptionally active Atlantic hurricane season this year, citing the El Niño weather pattern and uncommonly warm sea surface temperatures.
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Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday evening. It brought hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and a life-threatening storm surge with its arrival.
MyRadar Weather meteorologist Matthew Cappucci said the heavy rain made “almost every road” impassable as floodwaters overtook Metairie in the New Orleans metropolitan area.
“Hello. I am safe but I don’t have any cell service to post photos. Almost every road in Metairie is [impassable]. 1-2 feet of floodwaters,” Cappucci posted on X, formerly Twitter, as he reported on the storm’s impacts on Wednesday evening. “Power everywhere is out. I got to point where going further would be unsafe, so am currently in my vehicle in only parking lot not flooded.”
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A follow-up post from Cappucci said there was “major flooding” across New Orleans after 10 inches of rain fell.
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“Flash flood EMERGENCY in effect. I have seen vehicles stalled out and am currently hunkered down in the parking lot above water line. Camping here tonight,” Cappucci said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) shared a precipitation map on X showing that up to 9 inches of rain fell in 12 hours on Wednesday across much of southeastern Louisiana.
“This is an extremely dangerous flash flood situation for many. Do not attempt to drive in these conditions,” the post said. “Flash flooding at night is extremely dangerous. There have already been a number of operations to rescue drivers from flooded roadways this evening.”
Flood warnings and hurricane local statements remained in place across southeastern Louisiana on Thursday.
Newsweek reached out to NWS by phone for comment.
Other social media users also shared videos of the floodwaters overtaking Metairie.
“Y’all. Water is up to my front porch in Metairie. Have never seen this in my life. I think my car is still ok,” one user said.
As of Thursday morning, flash flooding started to dissipate, but impacts remained.
“‘The aftermath’ of flash flooding here in Metairie, LA. Roads are clearing but signs of the water levels and debris are left behind,” WeatherNation correspondent Will Nunley posted on X. “Power is out to several neighborhoods and crews are working on clearing trees and storm drains.”
A map by poweroutage.us showed that more than 361,000 people were still without power in Louisiana as of Thursday morning.
The most recent update from the National Hurricane Center said Francine has since weakened to a tropical depression and will bring heavy rainfall across the Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and Southeast on Thursday.