Tropical Storm/Future Hurricane Gordon Not Expected to Impact N. MS

Projected path of Tropical Storm Gordon.
Provided by the NWS

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Tropical Storm Gordon continued to gain strength Tuesday morning and is expected to become a hurricane by the time it hits coastal Mississippi Wednesday.

Projected rainfall with Tropical Storm Gordon.
Provided by the NWS

According to the National Weather Service-Memphis, the latest forecast for Tropical Storm Gordon maintains a northwesterly track across southern Mississippi into southern Arkansas. The most impacts across the Mid-South will likely be felt by localized heavy rainfall.

However, north Mississippi is only expected to see some moderate rainfall over the next two days as the rain bands pass over the state.

According to the NWS, there is a 60 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms in Lafayette County on Wednesday and a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday. The highs for both days are expected to be about 85 degrees.

The National Hurricane Center said this morning that the storm was centered 145 miles east-southeast of the Mississippi River. Maximum sustained winds were clocked at 65 mph. After making landfall, it is expected to charge inland over the lower Mississippi Valley on Wednesday.

The entire Gulf Coast of Mississippi is under a Hurricane Warning.

NHC reported the storm could unleash “life-threatening” storm surge to portions of the central Gulf Coast. A storm surge warning has been issued for the area stretching from Shell Beach, Louisiana, to Dauphin Island, Alabama. The warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation. The region could see rising waters of 3 to 5 feet.

Tropical Storm Gordon is the seventh named Atlantic storm of the year.