× Tropical Cyclone Statement
Until 2024-09-11T18:30:00-05:00 • National Weather Service
HLSJAN This product covers Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas **Francine expected landfall this evening on Louisiana coast with increasing impacts inland tonight through Thursday** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been cancelled for Concordia - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Covington, Forrest, Jones, and Lamar * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Adams, Covington, Forrest, Franklin MS, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Marion - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Claiborne, Copiah, Jefferson, and Simpson * STORM INFORMATION: - About 310 miles southwest of Hattiesburg MS or about 330 miles south-southwest of Jackson MS - 28.0N 92.7W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Francine continues to move northeast toward the central Gulf Coast. It is expected to make landfall as a hurricane in Louisiana this evening. Francine will then weaken as it moves northward across Mississippi overnight into Thursday. Tropical storm force winds are possible across portions of South Mississippi before Francine weakens to a tropical depression. Strong winds resulting in downed trees and power outages, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and tornadoes are all possible as Francine moves across the area overnight into Thursday. Conditions are forecast to gradually improve from south to north Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across south central to south east Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across central to northern Mississippi. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across central to south east Mississippi. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across portions of northeast Louisiana and west northwest Mississippi. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across extreme southeast Mississippi. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across extreme eastern 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. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as a manufactured home or a structure near large trees, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. * 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.