Tropical weather system could bring rain, flooding to South Mississippi June 20-22

The National Weather Service office in New Orleans has issued a flash flood watch for Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and much of southeastern Louisiana beginning early Tuesday, June 20, through the evening of Thursday, June 22, due in part to heavy rains from a weather system moving northward from the central Gulf of Mexico that could potentially become Tropical Cyclone 3. 

Because of already saturated conditions due to recent rains, students, faculty and staff at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach and the University's other teaching sites on the Gulf Coast are asked to be aware that the potential for flash flooding is high. These conditions may make some roads impassable or hazardous to navigate. Area residents are asked to monitor weather reports and take action if flash flood warnings are issued.
 
Motorists on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach should be aware of the potential for damage from flooding to parked vehicles at the shared parking lot with St. Thomas Catholic Church on the west side of campus as well as on Beach Park Place.
 
At the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, motorists should be aware of the potential for flooding on Halstead Road near the site's entrance.
 
Should this weather system also affect the Pine Belt, areas on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus that may be hazardous for travel and to parked vehicles include the following:

• Pine Haven Circle around Sorority Village
• Montague between Kay James and Ross Boulevard
• 10 parking spaces on south end of Fraternity Drive (west side of street) at Montague 
• Fourth Street between Golden Eagle and Eagle Walk
• Southern Miss Drive between 30th and 31st Avenues
• Ray Guy Way at Century Park South/Spirit Park
• South end of Kay James at Montague (Dubard)
• Trent Lott Center west lot next to M.M. Roberts Stadium
• Ray Guy Way at Eagle Walk by the new raised crosswalk
• Parking area at the southwest corner of McCarty Hall

If necessary, the University's Eagle Alert system will be activated to notify members of the University community of severe weather that could affect them. For more information, contact the University Police Department at 601.266.4986.