Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSJAN

This product covers Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas

**HURRICANE ISAIAS APPROACHING THE FLORIDA AND ALABAMA COASTS**

NEW INFORMATION ---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* 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 200 miles southeast of Hattiesburg MS or about 290 miles southeast of Jackson MS - 29.2N 87.0W - Storm Intensity 115 mph - Movement North or 10 degrees at 17 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------

Hurricane Isaias continues to move northward towards the north central Gulf Coast and will make landfall as a hurricane this evening. Though Isaias will gradually weaken as it moves north across Alabama overnight into Saturday, tropical storm force wind gusts are expected to increase across portions of East and Northeast Mississippi. Wind will increase as early as this evening in southeastern Mississippi, then stronger gusts are expected overnight into Saturday across eastern and northeastern Mississippi. Downed trees and power outages are expected in these areas. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also possible, mainly in the Golden Triangle area. Conditions will 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.

Elsewhere across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across the Golden Triangle area. 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.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across East Mississippi.

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 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.