Forecasters don’t expect the heaviest rains in Marion County from Hurricane Harvey until mid-to-late next week, although its impact remains uncertain.
“There are no immediate concerns,” Brad Bryant of the National Weather Service said during a conference call Friday morning. “After about 24 hours we may see the outer rain bands. Rain is possible in some of the southern locations this weekend. The rain could be heavy into next week, but we’re not really certain.”
The Weather Service estimates that Hurricane Harvey will stall over south Texas, dumping up to 30 inches of rain in some areas there.
“The rain bands could move slowly into our area if the hurricane moves on a northeasterly path,” Bryant said. “The heaviest rains could arrive somewhere in our vicinity mid-to-late next week. These rains could cause flash flooding. The hurricane could also bring severe storms and tornados. There still isn’t much certainty of the path.”
Bryant said as of Friday morning the eye of the hurricane appeared well developed.
“It is strengthening and is an immediate threat to Texas,” he said. “We have a slight chance of tropical force winds in Mississippi by late Monday, but our potential for heavy rains moves in late next week. The storm could bring concentrated heavy rain to us.”
Marion County Emergency Management Director Aaron Greer was part of the call conducted for emergency management and law enforcement across Mississippi.
They will get an update via conference call Monday morning.
Map: This map from the National Weather Service shows the expected rainfall from Hurricane Harvey over the next seven days.
