Hurricane warning issued for southern Louisiana as Francine strengthens in gulf  The Washington PostHurricane Warnings In Effect For Francine  The Weather ChannelTropical Storm Francine nears hurricane strength as it approaches Gulf Coast. Louisianans are already closing the flood gates  CNNTropical system expected to strengthen near Mexico and Texas and bring heavy rains, forecasters say  The Associated PressRAW: (VO) FRANCINE COULD HIT GULF COAST AS CAT 2 HURRICANE SOON (4aET)  Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3