Mississippi Moderate Tropical Cyclone Local Statement | Effective 10/09/2026 08:08

HLSJAN This product covers Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas **CENTER OF ISAIAS EXPECTED TO REACH THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE COAST THIS EVENING** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Clarke, Clay, Forrest, Jasper, Jones, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, and Winston * STORM INFORMATION: - About 280 miles south-southeast of Hattiesburg MS or about 360 miles south-southeast of Jackson MS - 27.7N 87.3W - Storm Intensity 120 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Isaias continues to move northward toward the central Gulf Coast. It is expected to make landfall as a hurricane along either coastal Alabama or the western Florida Panhandle late tonight into early Saturday morning. Isaias will gradually weaken as it moves into central to northwest Alabama through the day Saturday. Tropical storm force winds are possible across portions of southeast to east Mississippi before it weakens. Strong winds resulting in downed trees and power outages and heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible, with greatest impacts expected generally across southeast to east Mississippi. Conditions are forecast to gradually improve from south to north into Saturday evening. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across eastern and southeastern Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas, gusty wind is possible on Saturday. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across eastern and northeastern Mississippi. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Jackson MS around 1 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.