tropical storm

Forecasters say a new tropical storm is expected to form in the Caribbean and will bring heavy rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands before strengthening to a hurricane and likely hitting Cuba.

Officials are ordering mandatory and voluntary evacuations for residents along the Louisiana coast ahead of Tropical Storm Francine, which is forecast to bring heavy rain and storm surge to much of the state this week.

East Baton Rouge Parish is under a state of state of emergency Tuesday ahead of the expected arrival of Francine in Louisiana.

As Hurricane Francine approaches the Louisiana coast, City-Parish officials in Baton Rouge have positioned sand and sandbags at nine different locations in the area.

Some Louisiana parishes are offering sandbags to residents ahead of Francine as the storm strengthens and approaches the state.

Some schools will begin closing Tuesday to give students and staff time to prepare for Francine, which is expected to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday.

Gov. Jeff Landry placed all of Louisiana under a state of emergency on Monday as Tropical Storm Francine churns in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Louisiana coast is under a hurricane warning as Francine strengthens and approaches the state.

Much like the year that contains it, the 2020 hurricane season refuses to let up.