Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant speaks during a press conference in Jackson Thursday, August 23, 2018.
Late Monday, Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency in anticipation of damage caused by a tropical storm hurtling toward the Mississippi Coast.
Bryant said the declaration is for the three coastal counties — Jackson, Harrison and Hancock — as well as George, Pearl River and Stone counties and other parts of the state where damage to homes, businesses and public property is possible.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said the storm formed near Florida Monday morning and is “expected (to) increase to a Category One hurricane by landfall late Tuesday night, potentially bringing 80 mph winds and more than five inches of rain to south Mississippi.”
In a statement, MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel said Gordon would likely produce heavy rainfall in the coastal counties, which, combined with tidal surges is also likely to cause flooding.
“Residents in those affected counties should also be prepared for tropical storm force winds and conditions that will favor isolated tornado threats not only along coastal counties but for South Mississippi in general,” Michel said.
A number of schools have cancelled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday; several self-serve sandbag locations have been set up as well.
Check MEMA for updates.