Release: Second Round of Storms Moving Into Mississippi

PEARL, Miss. (Press Release) — The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are reminding residents to be prepared as the second round of severe weather moves into Mississippi. Meteorologists with the NWS say that thunderstorms will continue across much of the state this afternoon through tonight.

The primary threat with the second system will be more flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail up to golf ball size and a few tornadoes will even be possible.

“I realize that citizens are becoming weather weary, given the harsh winter and ongoing spring storms, but each one of these systems has the potential to cause damage and injury to Mississippians,” said MEMA Executive Director Robert Latham. “Our goal is to keep our residents safe before, during and after these storms. Plan ahead about what you would do if severe weather affected your area.”

Many rivers, streams and tributaries are at, near or above flood stage, and this system could cause them to continue rising. Flooding and flash flooding will continue in central and southern Mississippi throughout the day and evening.

MEMA and the NWS recommend you take the following steps to ensure you are prepared:

• Have a family emergency plan.
• If a tornado threatens, go to the lowest level of your home and shelter in the most interior room, like a closet or bathroom and cover with pillows or blankets.
• Residents in mobile homes or manufactured housing should have a safe place to wait out the severe weather.
• When riding in a vehicle never attempt to outrun a tornado. You should abandon the vehicle and get into a nearby sturdy structure.
• If you encounter flood covered roads, remember the phrase, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Roadways could be eroded under the surface of the water.
• Check and restock your emergency supply kit in case you are without electricity for an extended period of time.

MEMA urges the public to report damages to your local Emergency Management Agency. For a list of contact numbers for your county, visit www.msema.org/local-ema.

For more information, go to MEMA’s website at www.msema.org or download the MEMA mobile app on your iOS or Android device. The best way to get up-to-date information is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter.