Miss. coastal areas warned of flooding

Associated Press - November 9, 2009 12:14 PM ET

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) - Coastal areas of Mississippi were under a tropical storm warning today after Ida lost strength over the water on its way to a landfall.

The governor's office issued a state of emergency for areas of Mississippi expected to be impacted by high winds and heavy rainfall from Ida.

The declaration allows for the deployment of some members the Mississippi National Guard and puts the Department of Public Safety and other state agencies on special alert. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has already deployed to the Gulf Coast and is coordinating with local emergency officials.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding closed today's second and third shifts for workers at its Pascagoula, Gulfport and Avondale, Louisiana, shipyards.

Many schools in the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson had let out at midday today in anticipation of the storm.

The National Weather Service said Harrison and Hancock counties could expect tides 2 to 3 feet above normal late Monday, while Jackson can expect at least three to five above normal tides.

Forecasters said 2 to 4 inches of rain can also be expected along the Mississippi Coast.

In the three coastal counties, emergency officials were expecting some flooding in low-lying areas as the storm closed in on the Gulf Coast.