The National Weather Service announced that a tropical depression has formed near the western coast of Florida and is on track to impact South Mississippi.
What’s being called Tropical Depression Two for the time being is expected to intensify to Tropical Storm Bertha later on Monday, making it the second named storm of the season after Tropical Storm Arthur. So far, the depression is skirting along the Florida Panhandle heading west.
The NWS believes that heightened weather conditions will begin affecting parts of Florida and Alabama Monday evening into Tuesday morning. The two states are the only ones currently under a tropical storm watch.
“Interests in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas should monitor the progress of this system, as additional watches could be required for portions of that area over the next day or two,” forecasters with the NWS said.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the NWS estimate that the storm, or at least remnants of it, will make contact with the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Wednesday around 1 p.m., bringing heavy rain and potential flooding to the area.
“We encourage citizens to monitor the progress of this storm system as it is expected to impact Mississippi in the coming days,” MEMA wrote in a social media post. “Areas of flash flooding are possible through Friday along the Gulf Coast and in southern Mississippi. Stay safe, Mississippi!”
