MS Coast under flood watch as showers soak the South. Here’s how much rain could fall

Steady rain falling this week across the Mississippi Coast could flood low-lying streets and snarl traffic but may also ease the drought in Jackson County and other parched areas across the region.

Slow-moving rain heading east from Louisiana could flood some streets and underpasses through Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service said. The Coast is most at risk of flooding Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, said Danielle Manning, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Slidell.

Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties are under a flood watch through Tuesday morning and could each get 2 to 3 inches of rain. Manning said up to 5 inches could fall in some places if stronger storms stall or move over the same areas several times.

Intense rain would not help the drought because strong storms cause runoff. But Manning said most of the rain will fall steadily, which could help drought-stricken areas on the eastern side of the Coast. Eastern Jackson County is in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and much of Harrison and Hancock counties are unusually dry.

Scattered showers will continue through Tuesday. The National Weather Service New Orleans said the rain will give way to cooler temperatures Thursday morning that could freeze northern parts of the region.

This story was originally published December 9, 2024 at 11:08 AM.