Up to 8 inches of rain could bring flooding to south Mississippi. Here’s the forecast
Up to 8 inches of rain could cause flash floods as storms move into south Mississippi, forecasts show.
A flash flood watch was issued for the region early Tuesday and will remain in effect through Thursday night as residents brace for another round of storms. The area could see damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes later this week, according to the National Weather Service in New Orleans.
Several coastal Mississippi counties, including Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Pike, are affected.
Flood warnings have also been issued for the Biloxi River, Wolf River and Tchoutacabouffa River, according to emergency management officials in Harrison County.
Back-to-back rounds of “moderate to heavy rainfall” are expected and could lead to localized flash flooding, forecasters say. The threat of heavy rain will be greatest from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday, with some areas getting between 4 and 8 inches of rain.
The risk for severe weather will increase Thursday evening as storms roll into the region less than a week after a similar system spurred tornadoes across the state.
This week, potential impacts include “a few weak, short-lived and fast moving tornadoes” with “waterspouts possible across marine areas,” according to the National Weather Service.
Residents are encouraged to have a severe weather plan in place, as additional watches and advisories are expected.
In Harrison County, officials have set up self-serve sandbag locations as the region braces for a washout. Sand and bags will be provided, but residents are asked to bring their own shovels. The locations are:
- Harrison County Road Department: 10076 Lorraine Road in Gulfport
- District 1 Work Center, D’Iberville: 10085 Doris Deno Ave. in D’Iberville
- District 2 Work Center, Lyman: 15001 County Farm Road in Gulfport
- District 3 Work Center, Long Beach: 605 North Seal Ave.in Long Beach
- District 4 Work Center, Orange Grove: 8300 34th Ave. in Gulfport
- District 5 Work Center, Woolmarket: 16395 Old Woolmarket Road in Biloxi
Power outages reported on Coast
There were over 1,800 customers without power on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as storms moved through the area Tuesday afternoon.
Coast Electric Power Association reported 805 customers without power in the counties of Hancock, Harrison and and Pearl River.
Mississippi Power listed 570 customers in South Mississippi.
Singing River EPA reported 455 customers lacking power in the eastern portion of the region.
D’Iberville Middle School sustains damage
The roof of the gym at D’Iberville Middle School sustained damage from high winds on Tuesday, allowing some water to enter the gym, principal Matthew Elias told the Sun Herald.
Elias said the gym had been evacuated prior to the incident and that classes will resume on Wednesday.
This story was originally published March 23, 2021 at 10:06 AM.