Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Perry: Prepare for Wind and Flooding

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Perry, Mississippi, by the National Weather Service (NWS) Mobile AL, effective immediately as of October 8 at 4:04 PM CDT. The watch is set to expire on October 9 at 12:15 AM UTC.

Residents in Beaumont, New Augusta, and Richton should take immediate action to prepare for potential hazardous winds and moderate flooding rain. Winds are forecast to be below tropical storm force, with peak gusts up to 40 mph, but the potential exists for winds between 39 to 57 mph. Property protection efforts should be underway now to address possible damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Expect scattered power and communications outages, and be aware that some roads may become impassable due to debris.

Moderate flooding rain is also anticipated, with around 1 inch of rainfall expected. This could lead to evacuations and rescues, with rivers and tributaries potentially overfilling their banks. Heed any flood watches and warnings issued. Driving conditions may become hazardous in low-lying areas. Tornadoes are not expected at this time, but continue to monitor for forecast updates.

For local information, contact the Perry County EMA at 601-964-8474 or visit www.facebook.com/perrycountyemd. Further storm impact information is available from NWS Mobile at www.weather.gov/mob.