Sunday heat advisories now cover parts of Mississippi, turning this morning’s warning about rising temperatures into a timed alert for the next day. Vicksburg police are also investigating a shooting near gas pumps on Halls Ferry Road, while Gulf Coast residents face an important change in where they can get in-person disaster assistance.
Tonight’s Mississippi news briefing also looks ahead to a Sunday nature festival in Southaven, a four-museum science event in Jackson and a food-donation effort in Lafayette County. The common thread for weekend plans is preparation: check the heat, confirm the hours and use the official information linked below.
Featured image: National Weather Service Jackson’s September 12 outlook for heat stress Sunday through Tuesday. This forecast graphic shows the broader heat outlook, not the precise boundaries of Sunday’s advisories.
Sunday heat advisories set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for Sunday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT. This is the significant change since the morning briefing, when advisories were still a possibility in the forecasts reviewed.
The Memphis office’s advisory includes DeSoto, Tunica, Tate, Coahoma, Quitman, Panola and Tallahatchie counties, with heat indices up to 106 degrees. The Jackson office’s separate advisory forecasts values up to 110 across parts of central Mississippi, including the Jackson metropolitan area, Vicksburg, Greenville, Natchez and communities farther south toward Columbia.
Read the official advisory text and complete county lists before making outdoor plans. NWS recommends fluids, air-conditioned breaks and checking on relatives and neighbors. Move strenuous tasks to cooler hours when possible.
The Memphis office’s afternoon discussion expects the heat to persist at least into midweek, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 in some places Monday through Wednesday. Its forecast also raises the possibility of fog overnight in northern Mississippi. The Jackson office’s 3 p.m. discussion also expects another round of storms Sunday afternoon, farther south than Saturday’s activity, and says forecasters will monitor for damaging wind gusts. Conditions and alert coverage can change. Our heat-stress report provides the broader regional outlook.
Vicksburg police say officers responded to 2607 Halls Ferry Road around 10:51 a.m. Saturday after a report that a male might have been shot. They found evidence of a shooting in the parking lot near the gas pumps.
According to the department’s Saturday afternoon release, an individual later arrived at an area hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and was being transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for additional treatment. That describes the status at the time of the release; police did not provide a later medical update in the announcement reviewed.
Investigators are examining surveillance footage and evidence collected at the scene. The release does not identify a suspect or announce an arrest. Read the police statement and our Vicksburg report for the confirmed details.
Hancock disaster-center cutoff arrives; other assistance routes remain
MEMA’s announced permanent closing time for the Hancock County Disaster Service Center was 2 p.m. Saturday, September 12. In its Friday reminder, the agency directed residents to other centers in Harrison, Pearl River or Stone County and said the application deadline is October 3.
The closure notice concerns an in-person service location. Residents should not interpret that cutoff as the end of all opportunities to apply for disaster aid.
MEMA’s Tropical Storm Arthur assistance page identifies Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone as counties approved for Individual Assistance under disaster DR-4930. It lists online registration at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app and 800-621-3362 as application routes. The declaration covers storm damage from June 18–20, 2026. Check current center information before traveling; Friday’s closure reminder does not give Sunday opening hours for the remaining locations.
MDOT urges Coast residents to keep hurricane preparations current
A separate Saturday message from the Mississippi Department of Transportation focuses on readiness for the rest of hurricane season. The agency advises Gulf Coast residents to keep fuel tanks at least half full, or electric vehicles at least half charged, to reduce delays if travel becomes necessary.
Its preparedness checklist also calls for current emergency contacts, including agencies and professionals a household may need, and a detailed prescription list. MDOT recommends maintaining essential medicine supplies and keeping digital copies of important documents accessible if paper records are damaged.
This is ongoing preparedness guidance, not an evacuation order or a forecast of an imminent Mississippi landfall. For households already recovering from a storm, keeping the application information above alongside updated emergency contacts can make both recovery and future planning easier. Read our Coast preparedness report.
Mississippi Science Fest offers four-museum admission September 19
Families planning next weekend can visit the LeFleur Museum District for Mississippi Science Fest on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks promoted the event Saturday and says a $10 ticket covers admission to all four participating museums.
The agency’s Museum of Natural Science is among the venues. Its announcement describes hands-on activities, experiments and exhibits designed to build interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. That combines a family outing with opportunities to explore several subjects in one day.
Use the department’s dated event announcement for ticket information and follow any updates before buying. Our Science Fest report summarizes the confirmed date, hours and admission arrangement. This event is next Saturday, not tomorrow.
Lafayette sheriff’s office collects canned goods for Harmontown
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office is accepting nonperishable canned goods for Harmontown Food Pantry. In a Saturday spotlight, Sheriff Joey East described the donation-supported organization as a regular source of food boxes for Harmontown residents needing assistance.
The office also credited the pantry with helping distribute food and essentials when an ice storm disrupted electricity, water and access to supplies. That was background about earlier service, not a report of a new storm.
Donors can leave canned goods with the sheriff’s office, which says it will deliver them to the pantry. The official donation notice does not provide collection hours or a food-distribution schedule. Confirm those details with the organization before making a special trip or seeking a food box.
Southaven hummingbird festival continues Sunday
The North Mississippi Hummingbird Festival continues Sunday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Southaven’s Saturday announcement. The location is the June Wheeler Memorial Hummingbird Garden at Snowden Grove, with exhibits there and across the street at the Snowden House.
The city lists different hours for the two days, so Sunday visitors should use the 11 a.m. opening time. The entire announced Sunday session also falls within DeSoto County’s heat-advisory window. Plan cooling breaks and check the forecast before spending extended time outdoors.
Compiled with AI assistance from Mississippi News Group coverage and linked official sources. Read our editorial standards and follow the latest Mississippi news.
