Tropical Storm Watch Issued: Isaias Nears Gulf Coast, Bringing Wind and Rain

Residents across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas should prepare for potential impacts as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the Northern Gulf Coast.

The National Weather Service in Jackson, MS, has issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement today, October 9, at 4:19 AM CDT. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties, in addition to existing watches for Clarke, Forrest, Jasper, Jones, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, and Winston counties. Isaias, currently a hurricane with 110 mph winds, is approximately 350 miles south-southeast of Hattiesburg, MS, moving north-northeast at 15 mph.

Isaias is expected to make landfall tonight into early Saturday morning along the Florida Panhandle, then weaken as it moves into central to northwest Alabama. East Mississippi may experience tropical storm force winds, downed trees, power outages, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. Dangerous rainfall flooding is possible in east and northeast Mississippi, with moderate flooding potentially prompting evacuations. Localized hazardous rainfall flooding is also possible in central and northwest Mississippi.

Monitor official updates from weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio, and local news. Review your emergency plan and supplies. If in a vulnerable location, consider moving to a safer shelter. Be ready to shelter quickly if tornado warnings are issued. The next update is expected around 10 AM CDT.