Tornadoes, flash floods, high winds possible as Harvey crosses state

Published 2:06 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Vicksburg and Warren County can expect the possibility of tornadoes, flash flooding and high winds as the remnants of Hurricane Harvey move northeast across north Louisiana and western and northern Mississippi Thursday.

“We are looking at the threat of tornadoes and flash flooding, and winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph, and that means we could have some trees go down,” Warren County Emergency Management director John Elfer said. “We’re expecting rainfall of 1 to 2 inches, and up to as much as 5 inches is possible in some areas.

“I want to remind people not to drive through flooded roads or streets. They need to stay away from flooded areas.”

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

After hitting the Texas Gulf Coast Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, Harvey remained stationary on the Texas Coast, dropping more than 50 inches in the area and more than 30 inches on Houston, Texas.

It went back into the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night, moved east, and went onshore again as a tropical storm at Cameron Parish, La., between the Texas state line and Lake Charles, La. Its projected track puts it northwest of Monroe, La., as a tropical depression about 7 a.m. Thursday, and in North Mississippi by 7 p.m. before moving into Tennessee.

Meanwhile, students, faculty and parents from Porters Chapel Academy donated and loaded up relief supplies Tuesday and left Wednesday morning for south Texas to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Jason Tillman, who assisted in loading up a half dozen boats and trucks with the aid relief items, said the drive was quickly organized and the community responded.

“One of the parents said he was going down there to assist and offered to bring supplies,” Tillman said. “It was just one day notice and they were able to fill up six or eight boats and trucks and headed down there.”

Tillman said the caravan was headed for south Houston, but could wind up in Beaumont or wherever they’re needed.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John