Experts are asking Mississippians to be on high alert as Hurricane Delta moves towards landfall. The Governor has declared a state of emergency as the storm is expected to cross into Mississippi near Mayersville late tomorrow morning. Greg Michel, Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says there will be high sustained winds in south-western counties and those along the Mississippi River. "Up to 65mph in certain targeted counties as Wilkinson, Amite, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, and Claiborne, and that does not preclude any of the other counties along the state to be under threat as well. We're also looking at rain, however not as much rain as we initially thought. 2-4" in portions of west, central and northern counties in Mississippi, 1-2 inches for the remainder of the state."
The storm is expected to move quickly, but experts say it could take 72 hours to pass completely out of the state. Governor Tate Reeves urges Mississippians to monitor the weather and be prepared to evacuate or seek shelter. "Just because you're not in our coastal counties, does not mean that you're going to be spared," says Reeves. "Over the next 72 hours, there's going to be a lot of rain in Mississippi. There's the potential for Tornadoes, particularly of course in Hancock and Pearl River, but also in those six south-western counties that Greg mentioned earlier. And so be weather aware."
11 storm shelters are being prepped to open if they are needed. Because the coronavirus can easily spread in congregate shelters, free masks will be available, and wearing one will be mandatory.
