Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said Tropical Storm Bertha could bring high winds, storm surge, flash flooding and power outages to the Gulf Coast starting Wednesday and lasting into Thursday.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said southbound Interstate 55 at Exit 18 will be closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, while crews repair a pavement buckle as part of a resurfacing project.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said the I-55 northbound ramp to I-220 South (Exit 104) will be closed from midnight to 4 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, for permanent striping work on the bridge deck.

A review team said it has been identifying waste at several small Mississippi agencies, boards and commissions and plans more reviews.

Several supervisors from the Tupelo Police Department attended the 22nd Annual Mississippi Law Enforcement Command College at the University of Mississippi, the department said. The program was co-hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police.

BMC University said it is accepting applications for an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program aimed at students ready to pursue nursing. The university provided links for applications and tuition information.

Following the hottest day of the summer, astronomical calculations show the Mid-South has already lost 21 minutes of daily sunlight since the summer solstice and can expect 53 more minutes by Aug. 21.

Heat indices above 110 degrees were observed this afternoon, and a statement urged people outdoors to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated while noting that heat is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the U.S.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said Tropical Storm Bertha could bring 2 to 4 feet of storm surge and tropical storm conditions to the Gulf Coast on July 21 and 22, 2026.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency listed three cooling centers in Greenwood and urged residents to watch for signs of heat illness, drink water and check on elderly neighbors.