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

Louisiana energy hubs, crop exports disrupted ahead of Hurricane Francine

Average to fewer Atlantic storms forecast
Forecasts for the previous seven hurricane seasons have predicted above- average levels of activity
Reuters – U.S. private forecaster AccuWeather expects a near- to below-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, it said March 26. The hurricane season begins June 1. AccuWeather said it expects 11 to 15 named tropical storms, four to eight hurricanes and between one and three major hurricanes to form in the Atlantic Ocean before the season ends Nov. 30. “We think El Niño will