Ida’s remnants could ‘inundate’ Mississippi with rain, flooding this week
Heavy rain, flash flooding and “dangerous” storm surge remain threats for much of coastal Mississippi as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida continue moving inland.
The powerful storm system, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane Sunday, continued its trek north-northeast into western Mississippi on Monday afternoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Ida has slowed to a crawl, however, traveling at just 9 mph.
The storm has already dumped more than 10 inches of rain across southern Louisiana and Mississippi, and is expected to dump an additional 2 to 4 inches through Tuesday “with localized higher amounts possible,” forecasters say. Some areas, especially low lying ones, could see maximum accumulations of 24 inches.
“Dangerous storm surge inundation will continue into [Monday] afternoon along portions of the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama,” according to the NHC. Heavy rainfall will last through the evening across areas of southeast Louisiana, Mississippi and western Alabama, causing “considerable flash and urban flooding, and significant river flooding impacts.”
A flash flood warning was issued for Biloxi, Pascagoula and Gautier, Mississippi on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, and rising floodwaters has prompted water rescues in nearby Jackson County.
“Almost every street is taking on water,” Pascagoula police said, the Sun Herald reported. “For your safety, we are asking everyone to please STAY OFF THE ROADS! We have roads collecting water that do not normally flood.”
Middle and northern Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle will also see heavy downpours over the next few days as Ida pushes northeast toward the Middle Tennessee and Ohio valleys, weather officials say.
Harrison County forecast
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2-5 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 a.m. Low around 75. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday
A chance of showers before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night
A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
A 30% chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday
A 20% chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Labor Day
A chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
This story was originally published August 30, 2021 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Ida’s remnants could ‘inundate’ Mississippi with rain, flooding this week."