The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urges residents of East Central and Northeast Mississippi to be prepared for gusty wind, heavy rains and potential for power outages because of Tropical Storm Claudette.
Eastern portions of the state, particularly along the Interstate 20 corridor at the Alabama and Mississippi border, may experience gusty winds up to 30 miles per hour beginning this morning, according to the National Weather Service in Jackson.
The majority of the rainfall will be confined to Alabama, but rain bands can extend to East Mississippi during this time, the weather service states. Rainfall totals of .25 to .75 inches can be expected through Tuesday morning in these areas with localized amounts up to 2 inches possible.
Tropical Storm Claudette was upgraded to a tropical storm from a tropical depression earlier today. Tropical storms can produce wind gusts of up to 39 to 73 miles per hour and the effects of these systems can extend for 70 miles or more.
The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center takes Tropical Storm Claudette into the panhandle of Florida near Panama City around 7 p.m. tonight.
MEMA also reminds residents statewide that the activity in the tropics has picked up and two other named tropical storms – Ana and Bill – are moving westward. MEMA Director Mike Womack advises Mississippians to have emergency supply kits fully stocked and to be aware of upcoming storm forecasts after Claudette passes.
For more information, contact MEMA public information officer Greg Flynn at 769-798-8065 or visit MEMA online at www.msema.org. Questions may also be e-mailed to [email protected]. Follow MEMA updates on Twitter by visiting http://twitter.com/msema.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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