Special Weather Statement From NOAA

Special Weather StatementNational Weather Service Jackson Ms319 Pm Cdt Sat Aug 27 2005Arz074-075-laz007>009-015-016-023>026-msz018-019-025>066-072>074-280900-Adams-ashley-attala-bolivar-carroll-catahoula-chicot-choctaw-Claiborne-clarke-clay-concordia-copiah-covington-east Carroll-Forrest-franklin La-franklin Ms-grenada-hinds-holmes-humphreys-Issaquena-jasper-jefferson-jefferson Davis-jones-kemper-lamar-Lauderdale-lawrence-leake-leflore-lincoln-lowndes-madison La-Madison Ms-marion-montgomery-morehouse-neshoba-newton-noxubee-Oktibbeha-rankin-richland-scott-sharkey-simpson-smith-sunflower-Tensas-warren-washington-webster-west Carroll-winston-yazoo-319 Pm Cdt Sat Aug 27 2005...category Three Hurricane Katrina Forecast Into MississippiMonday...Hurricane Katrina Has Been Classified As A Category Three HurricaneWith Maximum Sustained Winds Near 115 Mph. This Massive Storm HasTracked Westward Across The Gulf But The Developing WeatherPattern Over The Southeast United States Will Begin To Steer TheSystem To The Northwest Tonight.The Current Track Forecast By The National Hurricane Center BringsMajor Hurricane Katrina Onshore South Of New Orleans Monday. TheSystem Will Continue Into South Mississippi Monday Night...movingNorth Of Jackson Tuesday Morning.If Hurricane Katrina Remains On The Forecast Track...weatherConditions Will Become Extremely Dangerous Across NortheastLouisiana And Much Of Mississippi. Tropical Storm Force Winds Of39 Miles An Hour And Higher Will Be Possible Over South MississippiMonday Afternoon And Across Much Of Central And NortheastMississippi Later Monday. A Large Swath Of Sustained WindSpeeds Around 60 Miles An Hour And Higher...including The PotentialFor Sustained Hurricane Force Winds In Excess Of 75 Mph...will BePossible Over Areas East Of Interstate 55 And South Of Interstate 20Monday Evening And Monday Night.Hurricane Katrina Will Produce A Deluge Of Torrential Rainfall AlongAnd To The East Of Its Path. Flooding Rains Will Develop OverCentral And East Mississippi Monday Night And Tuesday If TheSystem Lifts Into Mississippi Along The Forecast Track. RainfallAmounts From Five To Ten Inches Will Be Possible With This Storm.Tornadoes Often Occur Along The Spiral Bands Of Rainfall That PivotAround The Hurricane Center. The Greatest Chance For TornadoDevelopment Will Occur Over Areas East Of Interstate 55 MondayNight And Tuesday But The Risk May Extend Farther West If The PathShifts Westward.Preparations For The Possible Arrival Of This DangerousHurricane Should Be Underway. Decide Which Part Of Your House IsSafest And Create A Family Disaster Plan. Check Your Stock Of CannedFoods...first Aid Supplies...drinking Water And Prescription Drugs.Make Plans For Possible Prolonged Power Outages And Loss Of Water OrOther Utilities. Remember That Service Stations Without Power WillBe Closed. Decide On Accommodations For Pets.Get A Weather Radio With Battery Backup...it's Your Fastest SourceFor Weather Warnings And Information.Stay Tuned For Updates And Warnings As This Dangerous WeatherEpisode Unfolds.