Francine intensifies into hurricane as Louisiana residents brace for landfall

People rush to stock up on necessities, fill sandbags and buy gas as hurricane strengthens over extra warm Gulf waters

Francine became a hurricane on Tuesday evening as it barreled toward southern Louisiana, strengthening over extremely warm Gulf waters as those in possible harm's way rushed to complete storm preparations, filling sandbags, buying gas and stocking up on necessities for an expected landfall in the coming day.

Residents, especially in south Louisiana, have a 24-hour window to batten down all the hatches", Louisiana governor Jeff Landry warned at midday while Francine was still a tropical storm.