Strong thunderstorms threaten Mississippi, Louisiana counties

Strong thunderstorms will impact northeastern Tensas and eastern Madison parishes in Louisiana and parts of Copiah, Hinds, Rankin, Simpson, Claiborne and Warren counties in Mississippi through 3:45 p.m. CDT Thursday, a severe weather alert said. The advisory was posted at 3:05 p.m. CDT.

At 3:04 p.m. CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong storms extending from St. Joseph to about 6 miles south of Carpenter and near Sontag, moving north at 40 mph, the alert said. The advisory listed maximum wind gusts of 50 mph and a maximum hail size of 0.00 inches.

Authorities warned that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. The alert listed expected storm arrival times for specific communities, including Hazlehurst and Newellton around 3:10 p.m.; Crystal Springs and Utica around 3:15 p.m.; Georgetown and Yokena around 3:20 p.m.; Vicksburg and Learned around 3:25 p.m.; and Terry and Harrisville around 3:30 p.m.

Officials advised anyone outdoors to seek shelter inside a building and monitor local forecasts and emergency information. This is a developing situation; we will provide more information as it becomes available.