A DeSoto County wind advisory takes effect early Saturday as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias push north into the Mid-South. The National Weather Service in Memphis issued the advisory Friday afternoon. It runs from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and calls for northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
DeSoto County also remains under a Flood Watch from 1 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. Several counties in northeast Mississippi, including Lee, Itawamba, Chickasaw, and Monroe, are under a Tropical Storm Warning.
What the DeSoto County Wind Advisory Means
Forecasters say gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, could bring down tree limbs, and may cause a few power outages. The weather service said the strongest winds should stay east of the Mississippi River, which includes all of DeSoto County.
Saturday’s forecast for Hernando calls for rain showers, a 90 percent chance of rain, a high near 67, and northeast winds of 10 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 45 mph. Showers are likely Saturday night before midnight, with northwest gusts up to 40 mph and a low around 59.
Rain Totals and Flood Watch
The Flood Watch covers most of north Mississippi and west Tennessee. The weather service’s latest graphics call for 1 to 2.5 inches of rain from Isaias across the watch area, with locally higher totals up to 3.5 inches mainly in northeast Mississippi. Forecasters noted that the latest guidance has trimmed rain amounts somewhat in the western part of the region, and the point forecast for Hernando shows a lighter quarter to half an inch Saturday plus up to a quarter inch Saturday night. Even so, the weather service warned that tropical rain can be very efficient, and heavier bands could cause flooding of creeks, ditches, and low-lying roads.
How to prepare tonight
Secure or bring in patio furniture, trash cans, and Halloween decorations before you go to bed.
Charge phones and keep a flashlight handy in case of outages.
Have more than one way to get weather warnings, such as a weather radio or phone alerts.
Never drive through water over a roadway. Turn around, don’t drown.
Weekend Event Changes in DeSoto County
Several Saturday events have already been canceled or moved:
Hernando Water Tower 10K and Half Marathon: Canceled. Shirt and goody-bag pickup continues Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. at Hernando City Hall.
Silo Square Sunflower Festival (Southaven): Canceled and will not be rescheduled.
Southaven Fallfest: Moved to Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Field of Dreams parking lot at 6070 Snowden Lane.
DeSoto County Dream Center’s Olive Branch Adopt-A-Block: Moved from Oct. 10 to Saturday, Oct. 17.
Better Weather by Sunday
The weather service expects Isaias’ remnants to clear the area by mid-morning Sunday, leaving a pleasant day with highs in the 70s and 80s. A warm, dry pattern is expected to follow through the middle of next week.
