BROOKHAVEN — Tropical Storm Francine looms in the gulf and is forecast to bring flash flooding and wind damage to Lincoln County. Brookhaven Fire Chief Jeff Ainsworth said the department is prepared and waiting to see what the storm will do. 

Francine is still forecast to make landfall sometime Wednesday afternoon. Estimates of the time have shifted a few hours since Monday. It is unknown where the storm will make a direct hit but it is expected to go through south Louisiana and into southwest Mississippi Wednesday into Thursday. 

“We had a debriefing with civil defense. We are waiting to see what the storm will do. We have all of our tools gassed up and ready to go,” Ainsworth said. “Dead pine trees will be a concern if we get a lot of wind. Probably more so in the county but  I’m sure there are some in the city too.” 

NWS Jackson warns sustained wind speeds could be between 45 to 55 mph. The storm will likely strengthen to a hurricane tonight. Tropical Storm force winds could reach Lincoln County sometime after 2 p.m. and before 8 p.m. Wednesday night. The center track of the storm shows it passing just east of Brookhaven. Tracks of the storm have shifted east over the last few forecast advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center. Check back for further updates on the storm. 

Fire response

Brookhaven Firefighters responded to a fire Monday afternoon on Amite Road in Brookhaven. The call came in at 2:22 p.m. and firefighters cleared the scene at 3:30 p.m. Ainsworth said the homeowner had a majority of the fire out when units got on scene. 

Only a bed was damaged in the fire with no injuries reported. Firefighters cleared the home of smoke and made sure everyone inside was okay.