Local officials across southern Louisiana were clearing storm drains and distributing sandbags to prepare for Hurricane Francine, which was churning in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Forecasters said that the storm was expected to make landfall on Wednesday, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall and a dangerous storm surge.

Residents across the region were being urged to make their own preparations as the storm reached hurricane strength a day after forming in the Gulf. Many were buying supplies and bracing for the storm surge on Monday and Tuesday.

Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana said at a news conference on Tuesday that agencies across the state were working to prepare by positioning resources where they could be needed.

“We want everybody to be safe,” Governor Landry said. “Once you have decided where you are going to be at the time that the storm comes onshore, you want to stay there.”

Governor Landry declared a state of emergency on Monday to make resources available to parishes, the equivalent of counties in other states, ahead of the storm.

On Monday, Sharon Weston Broome, the mayor-president of the city of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish, said at a news conference in Baton Rouge that residents in the area should prepare immediately.