Numerous counties across Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana are under a tornado watch Tuesday afternoon as a potentially-severe storm system continues its trek across the United States.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued the tornado watch around 12:15 p.m., and is expected to expire at 7 p.m. CT.
The National Weather Service in Jackson earlier warned that severe storms, thunderstorms and tornadoes could be possible for central Mississippi, including the Jackson metropolitan area.
Here’s the latest on the weather situation in Mississippi.
U.S. Weather:Winter storm warnings sweep West; 125M in Midwest, Northeast in path of high winds, tornadoes
Hattiesburg to close some city offices
Hattiesburg City Hall and related offices will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
All sanitation crews, mass transit employees and sworn personnel and dispatch for the Hattiesburg Fire and Police departments will continue operations where needed for storm preparation and response.
City officials expect to resume regular operations on Wednesday.
Additional weather updates and information will be posted at Facebook.com/CityofHattiesburg and on Twitter @Hattiesburg_MS.
Hinds County sheriff closes some offices
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said offices for nonessential personnel will close at 2 p.m. due to inclement weather.
Emergency and law enforcement personnel will remain on duty.
Mississippi State moves to remote operation; women’s basketball will play, no fans allowed
Mississippi State University officials announced the campus is moving to remote operations at 4 p.m.
MSU’s women’s basketball game against ULM will continue as scheduled, but fans will not be allowed inside Humphrey Coliseum.
Click the link below to read more:
Campus closing:Mississippi State women’s basketball to face ULM with no spectators due to weather concerns
USM to close Hattiesburg campus at 2 p.m.
The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus operations and offices will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday ahead of the impending severe weather.
Hattiesburg in-person classes will not meet. Instructors will notify students regarding arrangements for rescheduling in-person final exams. Online classes and all coastal operations are expected to continue as scheduled.
For more information, visit: https://emergency.usm.edu/
Alcorn State University to close campus at 1 p.m.
In anticipation of severe weather impacting the region beginning this afternoon, Alcorn State University is closing all of its campuses in Lorman, Vicksburg, and Natchez beginning at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29. The University will reopen as usual on Wednesday.
The University encourages students, faculty, and staff to monitor local weather reports for damaging winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding and to exercise good judgment in making travel decisions. The University will continue to monitor weather conditions and any change of status will be announced on the school’s homepage and by campus email.
Shelters and Safe Rooms will be available if needed
Hinds County Emergency Management announced via Twitter Tuesday morning that Hinds County will experience strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts of 80 mph, large hail and flash flooding from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.
HCEM also stated that shelter and safe rooms will be available upon receiving further warning and watches as the weather continues.
Area schools announce early dismissals, and activity cancellations due to weather
As a result of the serve weather, Vicksburg Warren, Vickburg Catholic school, and Porter’s Chapel Academy and offices will be closing early, according to John Elfer, director of Warren County Emergency Management.
Madison County Schools announced via Twitter Tuesday morning that all after-school activities and games are canceled for the district Tuesday due to inclement weather.
“MCS is monitoring the inclement weather forecast on 11/29. In consultation with emergency management officials we are committed to making decisions with safety in mind,” Madison County Schools tweeted Tuesday morning. “All after-school activities & games Tues. are canceled. Please stay alert to any updates as the weather develops.”
Madison County Schools recently announced via Twitter due to the inclement weather forecast in the area, the schools will have an early dismissal on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The Madison County Schools Preschool will dismiss at 10 a.m., elementary schools at 11:30 a.m., middle schools at 12:15 p.m., Rosa Scott School at 12:20 p.m., and high schools at 12:30 p.m.
Also, Jackson Public Schools are undergoing teacher training Tuesday and already had a truncated schedule for schools, according to the district’s Facebook page.
“This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow, November 29 is an 80% day for scholars due to teacher professional development. Please plan accordingly,” the JPS Facebook post states with a graphic of the times for schools.
Here is a list of other schools that will dismiss early:
- Canton Public School District – Dismissal at 12:00 p.m.
- Clinton Public School District
- Gary Road Elementary- 1:15 p.m.
- Gary Road Intermediate- 1:15 p.m.
- Bolton/Edwards Elementary- 1:15 p.m.
- Utica Elementary/Middle- at 1:15 p.m.
- Carver Middle and Raymond Elementary at 1:15 p.m.
- Pearl Public School District Elementary schools at 1:00 p.m.
- Secondary schools at 2:00 p.m
See the latest watches, warnings issued across Mississippi
Live weather radar: See the storm’s current track across Mississippi
This blog will be updated throughout the day as more information is available.
