Tropical Storm Nate: Mississippi Counties Open Emergency Shelters As Storm Approaches

JACKSON, MI — With Tropical Storm Nate approaching, the state is preparing to open nearly a dozen shelters in three counties. The storm is expected to be a hurricane when it makes landfall Saturday night or Sunday morning. Emergency officials are urging that those in low-lying and flood-prone areas, especially those in motor homes and travel trailers seek shelter.

Officials say that anyone heading to a shelter bring medications, food items if the person has dietary restrictions and any assistive devices that they made need. (Sign up for newsletters and real-time news alerts from Jackson Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Watch: Tropical Storm Nate Could Strike The US Gulf Coast As A Hurricane

These are the shelters that will be open on Saturday:

• Forrest County – 2 p.m. opening: Forrest County Safe Room, 946 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg.

• George County – 4 p.m. opening: Agricola Community Center, 3161 Cooks Corner Road, Lucedale, and Benndale Community Center, 5207 Highway 26 W, Lucedale.
• Harrison County – 2 p.m. opening: *County Farm Rd Safe Room, 15035 County Farm Road, Gulfport; *D’Iberville High School, 15625 Lamey Bridge Road; *West Harrison High School, 10399 County Farm Road, Gulfport; *Lobouy Safe Room, 9509 Lobuoy Road, Pass Christian; and *Saucier/Lizana Safe Room, 23771 Saucier-Lizana Road, Saucier.
• Jackson County – 8 a.m. opening: East Jackson County Safe Room, 18413 Highway 613, Hurley; Central Jackson County Community Safe Room, 5500 Ball Park Road, Vancleave; and West Jackson County Safe Room, 13000 Walker Road, Ocean Springs.

All shelters above are handicapped accessible except the East and West Jackson Co. locations. Pet friendly shelters are indicated with asterisks*. Anyone bringing a pet needs to know that they must be crated while in the shelter.

Image via National Hurricane Center.