Tropical Storm Francine has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches the U.S. Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

Reporter John Burnett biked for two weeks through the Gulf South, asking people he met along the way about their major concerns in this election year.

More than a million people could get health care if these states would pass laws expanding Medicaid. Most residents want the expansion but entrenched politics stands in the way.

Storms have been sweeping across California since last December. Areas with high elevation are forecasted to experience the brunt of this week's extreme weather.

The town of North Port, Fla., was hit hard by Hurricane Ian, and then days of river flooding. As the waters start to recede, residents are starting to dry out and take stock of the damage.

Coast Guard teams have been dispatched to help determine the extent of the damage from the spill, which is situated roughly two miles off the Louisiana coast. Officials say the source remains unclear.

Hurricane Laura has been described as one of the most powerful storms to hit the Gulf Coast in decades. We take a look at other infamous storms to strike the region.