Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich and the Biloxi City Council declared a state of emergency in Biloxi this afternoon, a measure that authorizes the mayor to do all things necessary to deal with the expected torrential downpour from Tropical Storm Harvey.
“This evening we’re expecting more severe thunderstorms,” said Biloxi Emergency Manager Michelle Crowley. “Residents in low-lying areas should continue to monitor weather reports. We’re not in the cone of probability for the high winds, like some areas of Louisiana, but we still need to be vigilant about paying attention to weather reports until this storm is no longer a threat.”
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch and a small craft advisory because of the expected thunderstorms, and a flood warning was issued for the Biloxi River. The river is expected to rise above its 12-foot flood stage by late Wednesday and crest around 13 feet by Thursday morning. The river was at 3.2 feet this morning and was expected to fall below its flood stage by Friday morning.
The state of emergency declared in Biloxi this afternoon grants the mayor broad authority in making emergency purchases and using city personnel and equipment as needed and where needed to minimize the threat to the health and safety of city residents.
Read the state of emergency resolution
See images from today’s meetings
See the extended forecast and latest weather advisories
See real-time radar
