Hurricane Zeta, with sustained winds now up to 90 mph and gaining speed, is expected to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana this afternoon, moving close to Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are under hurricane and storm surge warnings, and a flood warning is in place for the Biloxi River, which is expected to crest at 13 feet Thursday afternoon.
The storm is currently 265 miles southwest of the Mississippi River and about 295 miles south-southwest of New Orleans and moving north at 17 mph. A faster northward to north-northeastward motion is expected to begin later this morning.
Some additional strengthening of the storm is forecast this morning, and Zeta is expected to reach the northern Gulf Coast as a hurricane before weakening over the southeastern United States on Thursday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.
See the latest on Zeta
Zeta news & notes
Flashing: Traffic signals on U.S. 90 from Myrtle Street to White Avenue will be transferred to the flashing mode sometime today, as Public Works staffers remove electronics that could be damaged by the expected storm surge. Use caution at intersections on U.S. 90.
Shelters: Harrison County has announced that two shelters will open today at 2 p.m. They are County Farm Road 361 Shelter, 15038 County Farm Road, Gulfport; and Saucier Lizana Road 361 Shelter, 23771 Saucier Lizana Road in Saucier. Coast Transit will provide transportation. Call 228-896-8080 to make arrangements.
Sand bags: Self-serve (bring your own shovel) sand bag locations are set up at the following locations: Beck Park, 671 Division St.; Migues Park, 425 Parker St.; Cavalier Park, 2059 Lawrence St.; Popp’s Ferry Soccer Fields, 2150 Popp’s Ferry Road; Fire Station 8, 8479 Woolmarket Road; and Fire Station 9, 9370 Oaklawn Road.
Barricades: Public Works crews are staging barricades in low-lying areas throughout the city to prepare for expected flooding. If a roadway is barricaded or becomes covered with standing water, do not drive through.
Live streaming: See the city’s Lighthouse cam by clicking here. See a live stream from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor by clicking here.
