After forecasters from the National Weather Service predicted a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico will soon escalate into 2024’s second hurricane, the Harrison County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation of emergency to the state of Mississippi on Monday.
Matt Stratton, the county’s Emergency Management Association director, recommended the proclamation to the board. The action would allow the county to receive resources from the state level, help coordinate response efforts with the five cities in the county, and open the Emergency Operation Center in Gulfport at the Harrison County Courthouse.
The storm, which was upgraded to Tropical Storm Francine on Monday morning, currently has winds of 50 mph and will be qualified as Hurricane Francine if the maximum sustained winds increase to 74 mph. Coastal Mississippi is expected to sustain increased rainfall due to the storm, with 4 to 6 inches forecasted through Thursday, along with flooding, high winds, and tornado activity possible in the middle of the week.
Watches and warnings could be issued over the next 48 hours, and those set to be potentially affected can review severe weather plans and closely monitor official forecasts of the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center.
Stratton noted that high winds would not be the primary threat, but the main threat is rainfall and flash flooding. Hurricane Season will continue until the end of November.
