...DISTURBANCE BECOMES TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE... ...EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY WITH STORM SURGE AND HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR THE LOUISIANA COAST... As of 10:00 AM CDT Mon Sep 9 the center of Francine was located near 23.0, -94.9 with movement NNW at 5 mph. The minimum central pressure was 1002 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph.