Wednesday in Tippah County comes down to four things: a Gulf storm that could bring wind and soaking rain to Ripley on Saturday, one more dry and fire-prone stretch before it arrives, two volleyball teams hosting playoff matches Thursday, and a mobile food pantry on Friday.
Tropical Storm Isaias: Wind and Rain Saturday
The National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Isaias at 4 a.m. Wednesday, and forecasters expect it to strengthen into a hurricane before coming ashore near the Mississippi-Alabama line late Friday night. As we reported in our full storm story, the National Weather Service in Memphis expects the remnants to cross far northeast Mississippi on Saturday afternoon, with the main local impacts being gusty winds and rain from early Saturday through Sunday evening.
The Ripley forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday, a high near 77 and gusts up to 35 mph. Rainfall east of the Mississippi River is expected to average 1 to 3 inches. Forecasters say there is still uncertainty about the storm’s strength at landfall and its path afterward, so check for updates through Friday. Before then, it is a good time to secure loose items like trampolines, patio furniture and trash cans, and clear leaves from gutters and storm drains.
Dry, Hot and Fire-Prone Until Then
Until the rain arrives, expect sunny, very warm days with highs near 87 to 89 through Friday and afternoon humidity in the 25 to 35 percent range. The weather service says wildland fire danger could peak Friday as winds pick up ahead of the storm. The Tippah County outdoor burn ban remains in place, so please skip the burn pile.
The same pattern holds next door. Alcorn County News reports that Alcorn County’s burn ban runs through Monday, Oct. 12, and that the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Alcorn County in severe drought. Patchy morning fog is possible through Thursday, so allow extra time on rural roads and use low beams.
Volleyball Playoffs: Ripley and Walnut Both Host Thursday
Both county teams won at home Tuesday night. Ripley beat Itawamba Agricultural 3-1, and Walnut swept East Webster 3-0, according to our playoff report. In third-round matches Thursday, Oct. 8, Ripley hosts New Albany at 6 p.m. and Walnut hosts Myrtle, with a start time still to be announced. Check the school pages and the Tippah County Sports Facebook page for the final time. Both matches are set to be played before the storm arrives. For more local teams, visit Tippah Sports, and see Tuesday’s roundup for Blue Mountain Christian University’s two conference volleyball honorees.
Mobile Food Pantry in Ripley Friday
The Mid-South Food Bank plans a mobile distribution at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at St. James COGIC, 719 Ashland Road in Ripley.
Around the Region
Benton County supervisors have named Ashland volunteer firefighter Jay Kimery the county’s new emergency management director. TVMO News Network first reported the appointment, and our story has the details. In Baldwyn, Alcorn County News reports Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith met Tuesday with Mayor Roslynn Clark and local manufacturers about grants and tax incentives. And DeSoto County News reports Southaven police say missing teen Shana Warren and her infant son were found safe Tuesday.
For more, browse the Tippah County News and Ripley News category pages, and check back for updates as Isaias moves ashore.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
