Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency

10/19/2026

What is a Burn Ban?

Burn bans are restrictions on outdoor burning during drought or wildfire conditions. The County Board of Supervisors normally requests burn bans, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission approves the requests. All burn bans expire at midnight on the stated date of expiration.

A burn ban means no outdoor burning
of ANY KIND.

The local sheriff’s department enforces burn bans. Anyone who knowingly and willfully violates a burning ban is guilty of a misdemeanor. These persons may receive a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.*

Burn Ban Exemptions Key

Each time a burn ban is issued, it will list either “No Exemptions” or one or more of the following exemptions. Use the corresponding numbers below to determine which exemptions affect a specific county’s burn ban.

Mississippi Forestry Commission
Certified Burn Managers
County Fire Services
Commercial contractors with heavy construction equipment, providing that said burn meets Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) regulations. Read MDEQ’s open burning regulations on their website.
Other
What is Not Allowed During a Burn Ban

Anything with an open flame that produces an ember is not allowed during a burn ban. The wind can carry floating embers away from the original fire and start a spot fire up to one-half mile away from the burning area. This includes:

Campfires
Bonfires
Fire pits
Fire rings
Burn barrels
Debris burning
Field burning
What is Allowed During a Burn Ban

Propane/Gas grills
Propane/Gas heaters
Charcoal grills
Use these items as described by their manufacturer, safely away from combustible materials, and never left unattended. Dispose of them properly after use.

Charcoal grill briquettes are of great concern. After use, always let the coals cool completely and douse in water before disposing of them in a metal container. The residual ash should be cold to the touch before disposal.

*Section 49-19-351 of MS Code of 1972, as amended.

10/14/2026

First let me apologize for the early morning calls walking everyone up. These calls and text are coming from a group call Regroup. I spent the better part of the last 2 days removing a lot of unnecessary alerts. I have also set a restriction on call times. No calls unless it’s tornado or hurricane alerts. Restriction times are from 7:30 pm - 7:30 am
You may still get a text but I’m hoping not.

10/09/2026

Good morning everyone!!

10/08/2026

Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday and weaken as it moves inland near the Mississippi/Alabama border. Even well inland, I’m thinking we will fill a good impact as far north a Jackson.

NWS Jackson has us under a Level 2 (Elevated) wind threat. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible, mainly Friday night and Saturday. Downed trees and power lines are possible, and travel may be difficult for high-profile vehicles.

We are also under a Level 1 (Limited) flash flood threat Friday night through Saturday night. Two to four inches of rain could fall in a very short time, which may cause localized flash flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Everyone should stay weather aware. Make sure you have plenty of meds, charge all your devices and check your flashlights and batteries.

10/08/2026

● Hurricane Warnings/Watches, Tropical Storm Warnings, Storm Surge
Warnings and Coastal Flood Advisories have been issued.
● Isaias is continuing to strengthen and forecast to become a high-end
Category 2 hurricane within the next 24 hours as it moves east over the Gulf.
● The storm is forecast to turn north on Friday and accelerate, bringing impacts
to the northern Gulf coast by Friday afternoon into Saturday.
● This storm will likely bring multi-hazard impacts including coastal flooding,
excessive rainfall, and gusty winds to the local area.
● Further adjustments to timing and extent of impacts could occur. Continue to
monitor this situation closely even if you’re no longer in the cone.
Natio

10/07/2026

This model is looking much better for the state of MS. Lawrence County is not even
In the cone as of now.

BRAND NEW 4AM CONE FOR — HIGH END CAT 2 OVER GULF PREDICTED

The cone has been shifted eastward as expected. The center line now around Mobile/Pensacola. Landfall expected late Friday into early Saturday.

NHC raised the intensity to 110 mph over the Gulf, that is high end Cat 2 now.

NHC still mentions high uncertainty on the models as there is some spread still. Everyone inside of the cone needs to still pay close attention to this storm.

This track is a much better scenario for SE , because if you end up west of it the impacts will be far less.

Recon will fly into this storm later this morning. Once they find the actual center that plot position will be used in the afternoon model runs. We will see if that changes anything. Will keep you updated!

4am stats:
Location: 22.0°N 94.1°W
Moving: ENE at 8 mph
Min pressure: 1004 mb
Max sustained: 40 mph

10/06/2026

Breaking: Tropical Depression 9 has formed 775miles from Jackson, MS. The 1st official track from the NHC has been issued. Under this scenario, Mississippi will be impacted Friday Night & Saturday. We have two scenarios that are developing. Remember, the forecast cone encompasses every potential point with a 2 out of 3 possibility of being directly impacted. Should the track be on the western side of the cone, we anticipate a weaker and slower storm, which means less wind & more rain for central & SWMS. Should it take the eastern track, minimal impacts would happen for inland MS, but this could be a major storm for where it does hit. The details are coming in now and we've got everything you need to know this evening on tv.

10/06/2026

I know. Let’s talk about it. Forecast track models this Monday night don’t mean much until the system has a well defined center, which this doesn’t as of this update. However, there has been consistency with a tropical storm or low-end hurricane making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Friday night or Saturday between NOLA & Destin. There’s no action to take now as of this update except to monitor formation & trends this week so you won’t be surprised.

10/04/2026

LAWRENCE COUNTY: Flood Watch issued October 4 at 3:05PM CDT until October 5 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA

EVENT: Flood Watch ALERT: * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Louisiana, including the following parishes, Central Jefferson, Central Plaquemines, Central St. Charles, Central Tangipahoa, Coastal Jefferson, Eastern Orleans, Lower P...

09/14/2026

🏫CLEAN CAMPUS CHALLENGE — YOU’RE UP, LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOLS!

Pearl River Clean Sweep Week officially starts TODAY, and we’re kicking it off with our schools! 💪♻️

Students, teachers, faculty & staff — grab your crew, pick a spot on campus, and LEAVE IT CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT! 🗑️

📸 Snap a picture of your cleanup crew doing the challenge and post it using to get your school on the Clean Sweep Scoreboard!