South MS deluged, with more rain in forecast. Tropical Storm Arthur chances rise
South Mississippi will see more rain and flooding through Friday evening, with some areas potentially receiving more than 10 inches.
The National Weather Service on Tuesday morning issued a flash-flood warning until 12:30 p.m. for northwestern Hancock and southwestern Pearl River counties. In addition, a flood warning is in effect from Wednesday morning until Thursday afternoon for the Pearl River near Bogalusa and Pearl River, affecting Pearl River and Hancock counties.
The National Hurricane Center says chances also are increasing that the hurricane season’s first tropical storm, which would be named Arthur, could form off the Texas coast Tuesday through Wednesday. Chances for “brief” development have increased to 60%, the NHC says.
The NHC issued its first advisory on the system at 10 a.m. Tuesday, issuing tropical storm watches from portions of upper Texas coast to Morgan City, Louisiana. The inland system is expected to move offshore Tuesday night, with winds increasing to tropical-storm force Wednesday. Heavy rainfall and flash-flooding are expected to be the storm’s biggest hazards, the NHC says.
“Development of this system will not substantially change the impacts to our local area,” the NWS New Orleans forecasts. “We anticipate an increased risk for excessive rainfall, unsettled marine conditions, including wind gusts in excess of 30 knots (34.5 mph) and wave heights of 6 to 9 feet in the open Gulf waters, and minor coastal flooding Wednesday through Friday.”
A flood watch remains in effect through Friday morning for Harrison, Hancock, Jackson and Pearl River counties. Southwestern Pearl River County is under a tornado warning until 9:30 a.m. Friday.
The Mississippi Coast has seen from 1 to 4 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with rain heaviest in some areas of Hancock and Jackson counties. In some areas, heavy rains have already led to street flooding.
The most likely forecast shows an additional 4 to 6 inches of rain through Saturday morning along the Interstate 10/12 corridor. The NWS says there is an “unlikely” chance that 10 to 15 inches of rainfall could hit South Mississippi by Saturday morning, including areas of Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 9:41 AM.
