Biloxi Police may not be able to use one of their traffic tools this weekend, the orange traffic cones that separate lanes on U.S. 90 during special events, because of expected wind gusts from Louisiana-bound Hurricane Delta.
The cones have been deployed annually on U.S. 90 during special events such as Cruisin’ the Coast in case police needed to reserve a lane for emergency vehicles. The city’s Public Works Department was scheduled to place more than 2,000 cones along the highway overnight, so they would be in place for expected peak traffic of Cruisers on Friday and Saturday.
“The cones are designed to help move traffic and help Police and Fire respond in a timely manner to any emergency, but if these cones blow over into traffic lanes, they will cause significant issues,” Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said. “We’re asking everyone to please drive carefully, and please give right-of-way to any vehicles responding to an emergency.”
Miller said barricades will be used in some cases, especially in low-lying areas where the highway may flood.
See more on Cruisin’ the Coast 2020
Delta will still have an impact
Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall Friday evening near Lake Charles, La., 270 miles west of Biloxi, but Biloxi may nonetheless see a storm surge and street flooding. In fact, a storm surge warning, with tides from 2 to 4 feet above normal, is in effect for Harrison County.
However, no river advisories have been issued at this time.
Those with vessels in Biloxi’s public harbors and marinas were asked earlier this week to secure vessels to withstand abnormal tides.
“As far as the public, we’re asking people to continue to monitor the weather reports,” said Biloxi Emergency Manager Nick Geiser. “We’re expecting some wind gusts on Friday and we may see some localized street flooding in low-lying areas.
“Please remember: When you see standing water, do not drive through. Turn around, don’t drown.”
The latest on Delta: Cat 2, 105 mph winds
Hurricane Delta today was strengthening in the Gulf, headed for a Friday landfall with life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and rainfall flooding from Louisiana and east Texas to Mississippi.
Delta today had become better organized and is now a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. The hurricane is moving northwestward at nearly 15 mph.
A hurricane warning is in effect from High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, La., which includes Lake Charles and Lafayette, La., and Port Arthur, Texas. This means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.
A storm surge warning is also in effect from High Island, Texas, to Ocean Springs, including Calcasieu Lake, Vermilion Bay, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Lake Borgne. This means a life-threatening storm surge is expected within 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch extends east of the mouth of the Pearl River to Bay St. Louis, Miss. This means tropical storm-force winds are possible.
Recent satellite imagery shows an eye appearing near the center of the hurricane, which is an indication of strengthening.
See the latest on Delta
