Information provided by OEP Director Mary Jones
Timing and Overview:
As of 7:00 a.m. CDT, Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was in the northern Gulf of Mexico, located about 115 miles south-southeast of the Mouth of the Mississippi River or 225 miles southeast of Morgan City. It appears likely that it will become a tropical depression or a tropical storm later today and it could become a hurricane by late Friday before it makes landfall. While quite a bit of uncertainty still exists, models this morning are starting to show more of an eastward shift with this system potentially moving northward along the Mississippi River. With the slow movement of the system, this could bring heavy rainfall and flash/river flooding to the ArkLaMiss. Expect further changes and adjustments to the forecast to continue over the next few days due to this uncertainty.
Possible Four State Impacts:
Heavy rainfall will be possible across at least some portion of our region, mainly late Saturday into Monday, and especially in close proximity to and to the east of the track of the tropical cyclone center. Exact amounts and the location of the heaviest amounts remains uncertain, but it’s not out of the question that portions of the ArkLaMiss could see in 4-8 inches of rainfall with lesser amounts to the west. The attached rainfall graphic is provided to reflect possible amounts based upon the current forecast.
