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JACKSON, MISS. – Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews worked last night and into the morning to respond to impacts from Hurricane Francine as the storm moved through the state after making landfall on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Louisiana. The storm weakened after landfall, lessening expected impacts to Mississippi’s infrastructure. As the storm continues to move through the northern portion of the state today, MDOT advises motorists to proceed with caution.
MDOT crews responded to flooded roads and removed debris and fallen trees from state highways across the state. Thanks to minimal storm impacts and the quick and efficient work of maintenance crews, Francine’s impacts were short-lived in Mississippi. By noon on Thursday, Sept. 12, all state highways in the central and southern portions of the state were clear for travel.
Storm impacts were as follows:
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Flooding occurred on State Route 604 at Whipple Rd. in Hancock County and U.S. 90 between Rodenburg Ave. and Acacia Ave. in Harrison County, but both roads are now clear. Today, crews are removing sand on U.S. 90 from Bayview St. to Myrtle St. Drawbridges on State Route 605, State Route 609 and I-110 have reopened to marine traffic. The Pearl River County Welcome Center on I-59 N closed briefly due to a power outage.
Southern Mississippi
Crews removed downed trees and debris in Clarke, George, Stone, Jackson, Jones, Jasper, Forrest, Perry, Lamar, Covington and Smith counties. State Route 43 at Brandi Lane in Simpson County was briefly closed due to flooding.
Central and Northern Mississippi
Earlier today, U.S. 80 at Gulde Rd. in Rankin County was closed due to flooding but is now open to traffic. State Route 463 in Madison County was also briefly closed due to a downed tree. Further north, State Route 3 in Yazoo County was briefly flooded. Crews are responding to downed trees and debris in roadways in Yazoo, Holmes, Warren, Copiah, Winston, Webster and Choctaw counties.
As crews clear roads in the northern portion of the state, motorists are reminded to be on high alert for roadside workers.
Hurricane season is not over yet. To help residents prepare for hurricanes or tropical storms, MDOT provides free resources including the 2024 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide and Hurricane Emergency Checklist available in English, Spanish or Vietnamese. Download them at GoMDOT.com/hurricanes or request physical copies at GoMDOT.com/maps.
To stay up to date with live travel information, residents are encouraged to download the free MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
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