MEMA urges Mississippi residents to prepare as Hurricane Isaias nears; shelters open, 4,000 sandbags distributed

Hurricane Isaias was expected to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle late Friday, Oct. 9, into early Saturday, Oct. 10, putting Mississippi at risk of wind, heavy rain and storm surge.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said Oct. 9, 2026, it was urging residents statewide to remain alert and take final precautions, including fueling vehicles, securing outdoor property, charging devices, and assembling water, food, medications and important documents. MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney was quoted in the agency release urging families to have an evacuation plan.

The MEMA release said forecasts indicated the storm could be a Category 3 at landfall and bring wind gusts, heavy rains and storm surge affecting Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for the coast and much of eastern Mississippi, and parts of Jackson County were under a hurricane warning, the release said.

MEMA reported it had distributed 4,000 sandbags to fulfill county requests and was coordinating with federal, state, local, volunteer and private-sector partners. The agency said shelters and saferooms were open and provided the following locations:

• George County – Shelter at 3161 Cooks Corner Rd, Lucedale, MS 39452
• Hancock County – Shelter at 30360 Hwy 603, Perkinston, MS 39573
• Harrison County – Shelter at 15035 County Farm Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503
• Jackson County – Shelter at 5500 Ballpark Rd, Vancleave, MS 39565
• Jackson County – Shelter at 18413 Hwy 613, Moss Point, MS 39562
• Pearl River County – Saferoom at 124 Rodeo St, Poplarville, MS 39470
• Pearl River County – Saferoom at 501 Laurel St, Picayune, MS 39466

The agency said the list of shelters and safe rooms will be updated as they are reported to MEMA at msema.org/shelters-and-safe-rooms.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation reported it would keep drawbridges operational on I-110, State Route 605 and State Route 609 as long as conditions allowed, and that high winds would lead to bridges being locked down and closed to marine traffic until after the storm passes.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported two locations had closed in anticipation of the storm: the George County Health Department and the Jackson County Health Department.

For more preparedness information and the latest updates, MEMA directed residents to MSEMA.org or the MEMA mobile app.

Source: WXXV News 25WXXV News 25