The storm that was Hurricane Francine, which has now weakened to a tropical depression, is still affecting most of Mississippi. Portions of north Mississippi are the latest to be issued a flood watch and wind advisory.
Francine made landfall on the Louisiana coast Wednesday at 5 p.m. as a Category 2 hurricane, battering the Mississippi Gulf Coast with heavy rain and high-speed winds into the early hours of Thursday morning. Tornado watches and warnings lingered in the southern portion of the state and flood warnings followed the storm to central Mississippi. Now, northern Mississippi is being affected with similar warnings as the storm moves northward.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch, which will be in effect until 7 p.m. for the following counties: Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, and Union. Officials warn of potential flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Those affected by the flood watch should stay weather aware by monitoring forecasts and staying alert for possible flood warnings.
🌀Flooding & debris reports have begun coming in. Please watch out for debris on roadways & NEVER drive through flooded roads! Turn around, don’t drown!🌊
👉Check MDOT Traffic app & https://t.co/YpM4Q4YH51 for updates on road conditions & closures#mswx #Francine #HurricanePrep pic.twitter.com/Pj5xQqi7Ej
— MDOT (@MississippiDOT) September 12, 2024
In addition to the flood watches, a wind advisory was issued for north Mississippi until Friday at 1 a.m. NWS says that wind in the areas of the advisory could blow around unsecured objects, down tree limbs, and power outages could occur. Officials also warn those traveling to use extra caution as strong winds can make driving dangerous.
Please remember to use caution after storms as historically almost half of all lives lost during a hurricane occur AFTER it passes. Use caution and remain vigilant during the clean-up phase of #Francine. If you use a generator or power tools make sure it is done safely.… pic.twitter.com/thqlj1NAPS
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 12, 2024
Just under 40,000 Mississippians were without power as of noon Thursday, while nearly 400,000 people in Louisiana are experiencing power outages due to Hurricane Francine. Gov. Tate Reeves has confirmed that no Mississippians were injured by the storm’s initial movement into the state.
