The Mississippi State University Extension Service is preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac’s landfall, shutting down county and district offices and making information available online to Mississippians.

Counties in western Mississippi remain in the projected path of the storm that by midmorning Monday (August 27) continued to move farther west than originally expected. South Mississippi is under a hurricane warning. Tropical storm-force winds are expected as far north as Highway 84 across the state.

Isaac poses a significant storm surge threatto the northern Gulf Coast and is expected to build to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. Tropical storm force winds extend for 205 miles. Because of itslarge size, the storm surge is predicted to be greater than normal for a storm of Isaac¹s intensity.

Current estimates are for the storm to reach land in St. Charles Parish, La., about 7 p.m. Tuesday. The storm is expected to enter Mississippi Wednesday about 7 p.m.

“Heavy rains and winds of 65 mph are expected when it enters the state near the Amite and Wilkinson county line Wednesday,” said Elmo Collum, Extension disaster preparedness specialist. “Thestorm is expected to move into Franklin and Adams counties later thatnight before veering back into Louisiana.”

The MSU Extension Service has a wealthof storm- and disaster-related information available online. Topics include debris cleanup, salvaging personal belongings, controlling mold and disaster recovery. Find this and more information at http://msucares.com/disaster/.

This is the first storm of the 2012 hurricane season to threaten Mississippi. As the storm approaches, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reminds residents in the affected areas to make sure they have fully stocked emergency supply kits to support them for at least three days. Kits should include batteries, flashlight, battery-operated radio, one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, extra medication, important documents, baby and pet food and supplies, and cash.

Equipment from the Hancock County office of the MSU Extension Service was moved Monday to the Central Research and Extension Center in Raymond. County offices in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties were set to close at 1 p.m. today. Extension Service county offices in 19 more counties were expected to be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.