Be Prepared for heavy rain this weekend

Tropical storm conditions from Cristobal are forecast as early as Saturday, and city leaders are reminding citizens to prepare.

Biloxi Emergency Manager Nick Geiser advises in today’s Be Prepared video report to not be alarmed but take precautions.

“We are not expecting to see a hurricane-strength storm make landfall,” Geiser said. “But it does mean we need to prepared for heavy rains and wind gusts.”

The storm, forecast to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico this evening, is expected to travel north towards the Gulf Coast warranting the National Weather Service to issue a storm surge watch at 10 this morning that includes Biloxi.

The watch means that the area could be inundated with rising water within the next 48 hours. Only minimal flooding of low-lying areas is expected in Biloxi.

Throughout the city, crews have been clearing storm drains and ditches, reminding boaters in Biloxi harbors to check and secure boats and setting up sand bag locations.

Self-serve sand bags – bring your own shovel – are available at the following locations: Popp’s Ferry Recreational Soccer Fields, 2150 Popp’s Ferry Road, across from Margaret Sherry Library; Todd Migues Park, 425 Parker St.; John Henry Beck Park, 671 Division St.; Biloxi Fire Station 8, 8479 Woolmarket Road; and Biloxi Fire Station 9, 9370 Oaklawn Road.

Geiser also asks residents to secure their home and property, have a plan in place for you and your family including a safety kit, and be prepared for inclemenet weather.

Also in Today’s Be Prepared report: state and local coronavirus numbers and an update from Pastor Murphy Matheny of Cedar Lake Christian Assembly, a congregation that plans to conduct its first in-person services this weekend, after 13 weeks online.
Facebook: See today’s report
YouTube: See today’s report
See the overall tracking chart
See the daily comparison chart
See the Harrison County 14-day chart
See the Mayor’s and Governor’s latest executive orders (May 29, 2020)
See the Phase 1 opening guidelines for casinos
See the Opening Up Biloxi Again guidelines
See the Opening Up America Again guidelines

News & notes: B-Alert, info line, City Council

BAlert: Stay in the know about road closures, road re-openings, and other traffic advisories by signing up for B-Alert.  It’s a real-time, on-the-go messaging system that brings advisories directly to your cell phone.  Just text BILOXI to 888777.

Info line: The City of Biloxi info line, a taped message with weather and coronavirus updates, is updated as needed and may be accessed by calling 228-435-6300.

Council: The Biloxi City Council, which normally meets on the first, third and fourth Tuesday of each month, does not have a meeting scheduled for next week. To learn more about the City Council, click here.