Zeta expected to be stronger, faster

Hurricane Zeta, with sustained winds now up to 90 mph and gaining speed, is expected to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana this afternoon, moving close to Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are under hurricane and storm surge warnings, and a flood warning is in place for the Biloxi River, which is expected to crest at 13 feet Thursday afternoon.

The storm is currently 265 miles southwest of the Mississippi River and about 295 miles south-southwest of New Orleans and moving north at 17 mph. A faster northward to north-northeastward motion is expected to begin later this morning.

Some additional strengthening of the storm is forecast this morning, and Zeta is expected to reach the northern Gulf Coast as a hurricane before weakening over the southeastern United States on Thursday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.

See the latest on Zeta

Zeta news & notes: Sirens, video and more

Hurricane sirens:The city's hurricane sirens will sound at noon today, reminding residents to take precautions.

Road closures:Keep up with road closures and other advisories by texting BILOXI to 888777. It's the city's free B-alert messaging system. Do not provide your email address, unless you prefer emails instead of texts.

Live streaming:See the city's Lighthouse cam byclicking here. See a live stream from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor byclicking here.

Flashing:Traffic signals on U.S. 90 from Myrtle Street to White Avenue will be transferred to the flashing mode sometime today, as Public Works staffers remove electronics that could be damaged by the expected storm surge. Use caution at intersections on U.S. 90.

Shelters:Harrison County has announced that two shelters will open today at 2 p.m. They are County Farm Road 361 Shelter, 15038 County Farm Road, Gulfport; and Saucier Lizana Road 361 Shelter, 23771 Saucier Lizana Road in Saucier. Coast Transit will provide transportation. Call 228-896-8080 to make arrangements.

Sand bags:Self-serve (bring your own shovel) sand bag locations are set up at the following locations: Beck Park, 671 Division St.; Migues Park, 425 Parker St.; Cavalier Park, 2059 Lawrence St.; Popp's Ferry Soccer Fields, 2150 Popp's Ferry Road; Fire Station 8, 8479 Woolmarket Road; and Fire Station 9, 9370 Oaklawn Road.

Barricades:Public Works crews are staging barricades in low-lying areas throughout the city to prepare for expected flooding. If a roadway is barricaded or becomes covered with standing water, do not drive through.

Non-emergency city offices to close

Non-emergency municipal offices and facilities in Biloxi will close at 1 p.m. today, Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard has announced.

Non-emergency employees are expected to return to work Thursday at 10 a.m.

Said Leonard this morning in an email for the city's more than 600 employees: "Heavier wind and rain will probably start around 3 p.m. and peak around 8-9 tonight. It's moving fast. Storm conditions will be coming in fast and leave just as fast."

Any City of Biloxi employee scheduling updates will be included on the city's info line at 228-435-6300.

Read key messages regarding Zeta

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