Severe Drought Covers Tishomingo, Alcorn as Isaias Rain Arrives
Severe drought now covers all of Tishomingo County and most of Prentiss County, and it still blankets all of Alcorn County. That’s according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released as rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias finally began to reach Northeast Mississippi on Saturday. The rain is welcome, but forecasters expect a quick return to hot, dry weather next week, and Alcorn County’s burn ban is set to expire Monday.
Severe drought spreads across Tishomingo and Prentiss counties
The Drought Monitor map dated Oct. 6, released Thursday, shows how quickly conditions have worsened in the eastern part of our coverage area:
- Tishomingo County: 100% in severe drought (D2), up from about 46% a week earlier. In mid-September, only about 7% of the county was even in moderate drought.
- Prentiss County: about 68% in severe drought, up from about 24% the week before and roughly 13% two weeks ago.
- Alcorn County: 100% in severe drought for a second straight week, after first crossing into the category in late September.
All three counties are now entirely in at least moderate drought (D1). None of the area has reached extreme drought (D3), the next level up.
Alcorn County burn ban runs through Monday
The Mississippi Forestry Commission’s burn-ban list, updated Friday, shows Alcorn County’s ban was issued Sept. 28 and expires Oct. 12. Prentiss and Tishomingo counties are not on the list, even though severe drought now covers most of both. Neighboring Tippah County’s ban runs through Oct. 18, and Itawamba County’s through Oct. 21. Eighteen Mississippi counties have bans in place, most of them in the northern and eastern parts of the state.
As of Saturday, no decision had been announced on whether Alcorn County’s ban will be extended or allowed to lapse. Burn bans are set by each county’s board of supervisors. Until the ban ends, outdoor burning in Alcorn County is limited to the exemptions listed for the county on the Forestry Commission’s website. Residents should check mfc.ms.gov before lighting any outdoor fire.
Even where burning is allowed, the Forestry Commission urges caution while the ground and woods are this dry. Earlier this week, several spot fires broke out along Highway 30 near Paden in Tishomingo County and had to be put out by crews from multiple departments.
Isaias rain: how much and how long
The National Weather Service in Memphis forecast rain showers for Corinth on Saturday afternoon, with 1 to 2 inches possible. Another half-inch to three-quarters of an inch is possible Saturday night, and the showers should end before about 4 a.m. Sunday. The weather service’s gridded forecast for Corinth totals roughly 1.4 inches through Sunday morning. Amounts will vary from place to place.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect for Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties until 8 p.m. Saturday, with north winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. The weather service warns that tree limbs could come down and a few power outages are possible. Around midday Saturday, the tracking site PowerOutage.us listed roughly 750 customers without power in Tishomingo County.
Back to sunshine and near-90 heat next week
Any drought relief may be short-lived. After the rain clears, the weather service forecasts:
- Sunday: mostly sunny, high near 81
- Monday (Columbus Day): sunny, high near 89
- Tuesday: sunny, high near 90
- Wednesday: sunny, high near 90, with only a 20% chance of a morning shower or storm
An inch or two of rain will dampen the surface, but after weeks of dry weather it is unlikely to end the drought on its own. Sunny, windy days near 90 degrees dry out grass and leaves quickly. The next Drought Monitor update comes out Thursday, Oct. 15, and will show whether the Isaias rainfall improved conditions in Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties.
Related: Wind Advisory for Alcorn County as Isaias Moves In | Earlier: Alcorn County drought worsens
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor; Mississippi Forestry Commission; National Weather Service Memphis
