According to a release from the Pearl River County Emergency Management Agency, Hurricane Nate continues to travel north at a rapid pace. Hurricane Nate was predicted to possibly pass over extreme southeast Louisiana and eventually make final landfall near Gulfport between 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 a.m. Sunday morning as a Category 1 or low-level Category 2 storm.

The storm has made landfall, and currently limited to no rainfall and wind are being seen in the Picayune area.

Despite the projected increase in possible intensity, the impacts to Pearl River County remain similar to the EOC’s previous communications. Due to the fact that Pearl River County remains on the western side of Nate, our area can expect winds of 45-55 mph and potential gusts of 60 mph, far less than those of hurricane strength. Storm-related rainfall that began early Saturday afternoon is expected to be between 2 and 6 inches with 8 inches possible in isolated or low-lying areas over the next 12 to 18-hour period. Rainfall and windy conditions will continue in bands through Sunday morning as Nate moves over land. Forecasts remain confident that the system will continue to weaken now that it’s made  landfall and continue to move rapidly through our area.

At this time no curfew has been ordered in Pearl River County including the cities of Picayune and Poplarville.

No shelters have been opened due to the limited impacts expected from Nate.  The EOC in Poplarville is currently sheltering four (4) people.  If you feel that you are in need of shelter, the EOC is a shelter of last resort and may be contacted at 601-795-3058.  Hancock County has opened shelters on Highway 43 and in Leetown due to its coastal and low lying areas which are vulnerable to general high tides and storm surges and have issued evacuation orders; these situations are vastly different than that of Pearl River County.