Mississippi is facing severe weather. Coast could see thunderstorms, flooding

Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)

Nov. 29—Forecasters have predicted that parts of Mississippi could see severe weather storms capable of producing tornadoes, floods and hail on Tuesday evening into Wednesday.

According to the Associated Press, more than 25 million people could be affected by the storm system that stretches from east Texas to Indiana and Georgia.

Central Mississippi, including Jackson, Vicksburg and Yazoo City, face the highest risk for severe weather with "significant and long tracked" tornadoes possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Current forecasts place the Mississippi Coast in a less severe risk category with a slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe weather.

The Coast could see scattered severe storms along and north of the I-10 corridor between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Wednesday, NWS New Orleans said in a tweet.

Rain will be the biggest concern for the Coast, with 2 inches to 4 inches of rain expected, but with potentially more in some areas. A flash flood watch is in effect from noon on Tuesday until Wednesday morning for Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties.

Tornadoes, hail, and strong winds are also possible, but less likely.

Hattiesburg will likely face worse weather with it being in an enhanced risk category (3 out of 5) for severe weather with severe thunderstorms likely and tornadoes possible. Forrest, Jones and Lamar counties are also under a flood watch.

The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University have announced they will be closing because of the potential for severe weather on Tuesday.

USM's Hattiesburg campus and offices closed at 2 p.m. and William Carey's Hattiesburg, Tradition and Baton Rouge, La. campuses closed at 1 p.m.

USM's online classes and coastal operations, including USM Gulf Park and the Gulf Coast Research Lab, will continue operations as scheduled. William Carey's online classes also will continue unchanged.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urged Mississippians in a series of Tweets to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts during the storm and know in advance where to go to stay safe. The agency also recommended people to take pictures of their property, "for insurance purposes and/or possible assistance if your home is damaged in the storm."

This story was originally published November 29, 2022 2:28 PM.

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