Energy production and agricultural exports out of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were disrupted on Wednesday, and oil refineries in Louisiana slowed operations ahead of Hurricane Francine's landfall later in the day, according to official and operator reports.

Port Fourchon, Louisiana, home to marine and equipment suppliers to offshore oil producers, was closed to vessel traffic as was the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), the only U.S. deepwater port that can handle very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for oil imports and exports.

The water level of the Mississippi River is unusually low for the third straight year, forcing barge companies to put limits on how much cargo they can carry and cutting into farm profits.

It was just two months ago that much of the Mississippi River was above flood stage north of St. Louis. Since then, the river level has dropped steadily. The area south of St. Louis has been hit especially hard, mirroring low-water concerns that began around this same time of year in both 2022 and 2023.

The return to school marks the official implementation of action plans developed by four Louisiana school districts as part of the first cohort of the Louisiana Farm to School Institute sponsored by Seeds to Success:  The Louisiana Farm to School Program and the LSU AgCenter.

The Louisiana Farm to School Institute is a yearlong professional development program designed to support selected schools that are expanding and implementing effective farm to school programs throughout their districts. 

As Hurricane Francine approaches the Gulf Coast, Louisiana’s farmers and rural communities are preparing for yet another potential blow to their livelihoods. While much of the media attention focuses on urban evacuations and storm preparedness, the long-term impacts on agriculture and fragile ecosystems often receive less attention. Based on previous storms, the damage to crops, fisheries, and the state's wetlands is likely to have significant and lasting effects on the state's economy.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a State of Emergency Executive Order in preparation for Tropical Storm Francine. The storm is developing over the Western Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to become a hurricane as it tracks toward the Gulf Coast. It is expected to bring four to eight inches of heavy rainfall across the southern part of the state, potential tornadoes, and damaging winds.