Gulfport, Mississippi

... Coastal Flood Warning in effect until 6 PM CST Tuesday...

Residents and interests along the coast are urged to make
preparations for moderate to significant inundation that may last
for 2 to 3 days as tides rise above normal to as high as 4 to 5
feet tonight and 5 to 6 feet on Monday. Tides are still expected
to be 3 to 4 feet above normal through Tuesday morning... especially
along east facing shores in St Bernard and Plaquemines Parish...
and along Hancock County. Currently... tides are running about 1
foot above normal.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A coastal Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring or
imminent. Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert
for rising water... and take appropriate action to protect life
and property.

... Flood Watch in effect through Tuesday afternoon...

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a

* Flood Watch for portions of southeast Louisiana and southern
Mississippi... including the following areas... in southeast
Louisiana... lower Jefferson... lower Lafourche... lower
Plaquemines... lower St. Bernard... lower Terrebonne... Orleans...
St. Charles... St. John The Baptist... St. Tammany...
Tangipahoa... upper Jefferson... upper Lafourche... upper
Plaquemines... upper St. Bernard... upper Terrebonne and
Washington. In southern Mississippi... Hancock... Harrison...
Jackson... Pearl River... Pike and Walthall.

* Through Tuesday afternoon

* deep tropical moisture will move into the region today through
early next week resulting in periods of heavy rainfall. Moderate
durations of heavier rain may produce rainfall rates in excess of
2 inches per hour. Accumulations of 3 to 5 inches will be possible
with locally higher amounts possible.

* Impacts include a likelihood of nuisance street flooding and
ponding of water in poorly drained areas. There is a potential
for flooding during periods of higher rain intensities that may
threaten inundation of property and vehicles. In addition...
communities near tidal influenced waterways may experience slow
drainage due to higher than normal tides.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding
based on current forecasts.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be
prepared to take action should flooding develop.

... Hurricane wind watch remains in effect through Tuesday
afternoon...
... Hurricane Watch remains in effect...

..new information...
Hurricane Ida is now a category two hurricane moving into the
southern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon. The hurricane is expected to move
through the Louisiana and Mississippi coastal waters and then
move toward Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

... Precautionary/preparedness actions...
precautionary/preparedness actions...

Stay calm and keep informed. Comply with any evacuation orders
that are issued for your area. If your home is vulnerable to high
winds... or you live in a surge zone or any location prone to
flooding... evacuate to a designated shelter or ride out the storm
in the sturdy home of family or friends outside of evacuation
zones.

Items to bring to a shelter include a first aid kit... medicines
and prescriptions... baby food and diapers... games and books...
toiletries... a battery powered radio... a cell phone... flashlights
with extra batteries... a blanket or sleeping bag for each
person... personal identification... copies of key papers such as
insurance policies... available Cash and credit cards. Remember...
pets are not allowed in most public shelters... so check ahead
with your intended shelter.

Regarding your home or business... cover all windows and doors
with shutters or plywood. Move patio furniture and other loose
objects indoors. Brace all exterior doors... including garage
doors. Do this as early as possible.

If you need to make a trip to the hardware store... the grocery
store... or the gas station... do so as early as possible.


... Winds...
as Hurricane Ida moves closer... the threat for sustained high
winds is likely to increase. The latest forecast is for strong
tropical storm force winds with gusts to hurricane force from
Monday afternoon to early Tuesday afternoon. Minor damage will
occur to many Mobile homes. A few homes may receive mostly minor
damage to roof shingles and siding. Unsecured lightweight items
may become projectiles... causing additional damage. Some
electrical wires will be blown down... and local power outages are
likely. Most newly planted trees and shrubs will be damaged or
uprooted. Some weaker small trees and large branches may snap.

... Storm surge and storm tide...
storm surge flooding of 5 to 7 feet can be expected outside hurricane
protection levees... and along the immediate Mississippi coast from
Monday through Tuesday morning. Flooding of few feet of water may
occur in non elevated structures or those built on a
slabs... causing damage. Roads along the coast... bayous and low
lying areas may close with upwards of several feet of water on
them. Residents in these areas should take action to protect
property and head evacuation advice from emergency management.

... Inland flooding...
a Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area. See latest
forecast for latest information. Listen for possible flood
warnings for your location... and be ready to act if flooding
rains occur.