September 11 | 8:00pm
Weather
Hurricane Francine landed in Louisiana today and continues northeast, weakening as it moves more inland.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect in Lafayette, LA.
University
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced that the university will open at noon tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 12, with classes beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Some dining services are set to open early morning.
All vehicles that were relocated due to the storm must be moved back to their permitted areas by 9:30 a.m. while buses and shuttles will begin their routes at 10 a.m. Thursday.
September 11 | 11:00am
Weather
Lafayette, LA is on a Tropical Storm Warning. The Hurricane Warning has been lifted as of Tuesday evening.
Francine is now a hurricane, Category 1, and will land in Louisiana today, according to the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel.
Since Tuesday, Francine’s path has slightly shifted east and continues to move northeast at 12 mph, and upon landing, forecasts to have winds of 90 mph, based on The Weather Channel.
Francine will weaken into a tropical depression as it moves further inland and northeast, according to the National Weather Service.
The Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, has declared a state of emergency.
University
A shelter-in-place remains for residential students from Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m. until Thursday, Sept. 12, morning. Students must stay in their residential dorms/apartments until the storm passes.
Another university-wide update from UL Lafayette expected on Wednesday, Sept. 11, evening.
September 10 | 10:00am
Weather
A Hurricane Warning is still in effect for Lafayette, LA.
Tropical Storm Francine is set to strengthen into a hurricane in the afternoon as a Category 1 and will likely intensity to a Category 2 upon landing in Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel.
The National Weather Service forecasts Francine to weaken into a tropical depression as it moves further inland and northeast, near Natchez, LA.
Extremely dangerous winds and heavy rainfall remain expected, with flash flooding to occur early Wednesday through Friday morning, based on the National Hurricane Center.
University | Housing
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Office of Housing has issued a shelter-in-place for residential students staying on-campus during the storm from Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m. to Thursday, Sept. 12, morning. Students must stay in their residential dorms until the storm passes.
To-go meals are available for pickup in the evening at the Cypress Lake Dining Hall. Water and snacks will be delivered to residential halls today as well.
Another university-wide update from UL Lafayette expected on Wednesday, Sept. 11, evening.
September 9 | 9:00pm:
The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Francine to be a hurricane once it lands Wednesday, Sept. 11, on the coast of Louisiana, with Lafayette, LA still being on the path of the system.
The National Weather Service has now issued a Hurricane Warning, meaning a hurricane is expected to land in southern Louisiana on Wednesday, arriving at the coastlines at approximately 1:00 p.m.
According to The Weather Channel, Francine is set to become a Category 2 hurricane, moving northeast at 15 mph, expecting to bring maximum wind speeds of up to 100 mph.
Category 2 hurricanes are classified as having wind speeds between 95-110 mph and can be extremely dangerous.
Heavy rainfall, destructive winds, flash flooding and storm surges remain expected. The NHC suggests that all preparations for impact early Wednesday must be completed by Tuesday evening.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette advised if students are unable to attend classes on Tuesday, Sept. 10, due to storm preparation, they should inform their professors.
The university’s Office of Housing urges residential students to complete the Weather Event Form (located on the Housing Portal) to indicate if they will be staying on campus or leaving during the storm.
University elevators will not be operational starting Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Finally, the Office of Transportation Services advises all residential students to move their vehicles to Girard Park Circle Parking Tower, Zone 11 or to an elevated parking location.
UL Lafayette will send another update on Wednesday, Sept. 11, evening.
September 9 | 3:30pm:
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced that it will close at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. It will remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 11 due to Tropical Storm Francine. The university will open at noon on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Offices and on-campus operations will also be closed at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and the closure will be in place until Thursday.
Students who live on campus are advised to shelter-in-place from 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through the morning of Thursday. Information will be sent out on meal delivery to residents. The university will update students on the storm.
Classes have been canceled through Tuesday afternoon until Thursday noon.
September 9 | 11:30am:
Lafayette, LA is currently on a Hurricane Watch, issued by the National Weather Service.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has updates regarding Tropical Storm Francine, which is forecasted to become hurricane Francine when it reaches northwestern Gulf of Mexico, making landfall on Wednesday, Sep. 11 at 7 p.m., CDT.
Advisories have been issued to the areas of impact. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for coastlines by the National Weather Service.
NHC predicts Francine, Category 1, will land in areas of upper Texas and Louisiana coastlines, which currently includes Lafayette, LA, with maximum speeds of 85 mph.
High-impact winds, severe storm surges, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, based on the NHC, are expected in Louisiana on Wednesday, with flooding possibly continuing until Friday.
The NHC continues to monitor Francine and advisories will be issued as it travels.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is monitoring the weather and will provide another update Monday, Sep. 9, afternoon.