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: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Clarke, Clay, Forrest, Jasper, Jones, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, and Winston - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Choctaw and Webster CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Forrest, Jasper, Jones, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston STORM INFORMATION: - About 240 miles south-southeast of Hattiesburg MS or about 320 miles southeast of Jackson MS - 28.4N 87.2W - Storm Intensity 120 mph - Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Isaias continues to move north towards the central Gulf Coast this afternoon. It is expected to make landfall as a hurricane along the coast of the western Florida Panhandle this evening. Isaias will gradually weaken as it moves north across Alabama overnight into Saturday. Tropical storm force wind gusts are expected across portions of East and Northeast Mississippi, as early as this evening in southeastern Mississippi, and overnight into Saturday across eastern and northeastern Mississippi. Downed trees and power outages are possible in these areas. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also possible, with greatest impacts expected generally across southeast to east Mississippi. Conditions are forecast to gradually improve late Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across eastern and northeastern 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. FLOODING RAIN: Protect against 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 complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.