Biloxi and the surrounding area are under a host of weather advisories until later this evening, and the dreary weather, which is expected to continue through the weekend, is changing plans for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic Tournament, the upscale deep-sea fishing event hosted at Point Cadet Marina.
A flash flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. today, along with a tornado watch until 5 p.m. and a coastal flood advisory until 4 p.m. The forecast for Friday is a 90 percent chance of rain, with 70 percent chance on Saturday and a 60 percent chance on Sunday.
“The Billfish organizers were expecting over a hundred boats for the event, but have about 60 in the marina right now,” Biloxi Port Division Manager Larry Sablich said. “And as of this morning, there are only about 35 signed up to fish.”
According to the billfish website, “tournament officials made the decision to move the start back a day. Boats can now depart the Point Cadet Marina at 6 a.m. Friday and start fishing immediately.”
The parade of boats, marking the start of the tournament had been scheduled for today at 11 a.m. with the fishing beginning at 11:01 a.m.
Scales, located behind the Golden Nugget, will open on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the marina with an awards ceremony on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Golden Nugget. Viewing the weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The Biloxi Shuckers, who on Friday are opening a five-day MGM Park engagement against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, also are watching the weather closely, says Downtown Services Manager Kay Miller in today’s City Desk podcast. The weather may also impact the Saints Day event, which will include a golf tournament and MGM Park clinic.
See real-time weather radar
See weather forecast and advisories
See the Billfish Classic website
Podcast: The Saints are comin’ and more
News and notes: Margaritaville, BTV
Margaritaville: The Biloxi Planning Commission, during its meeting this afternoon, will get an update on plans for the expansion of Margitaville resort and hotel property. Margaritaville depevelopers will be seeking a Master Plan Amendment, which will outline locations of the new amenities at the Point Cadet site. To see the Planning Commission’s complete agenda, click here.
BTV: Testing continues on the city’s planned municipal TV channel. See the work in progress, a collection of Biloxi videos, on Cable One Channel 56 in Biloxi. A programming schedule and a simulcast on AT&T Uverse are expected in several weeks.
