BROOKHAVEN — Hurricane Francine has strengthened since last night. The storm now has sustained wind speeds of 90 mph and has gained speed moving at 13 mph as it nears the Louisiana coastline where it is forecast to make landfall this afternoon.

After landfall, the center of the storm is expected to move northward to southwest Mississippi where it will be at tropical storm strength this evening and into Thursday morning. Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid asked the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors to approve a local proclamation of emergency.

“It would be good to go ahead just in case the weather does get bad to do a local proclamation of emergency,” Reid said. “We will have it done and can move forward from there. Hopefully, we won’t need it. Take pictures. If you have roads prone to flooding be sure to document and have maintenance records. MEMA won’t reimburse us if we don’t have records.”

Lincoln County is expected to experience wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph which could lead to widespread downed trees and power lines. Damage to roofs and roads being blocked could be expected. Power outages could last for several days. An onset of strong winds is expected to be in the area between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday.

Flash flooding is also a threat associated with this storm. Francine could dump four to six inches of rain on Lincoln County in a short period of time causing localized flash flooding of low lying areas and minor river flooding. There is also a marginal risk of tornados developing in a majority of Lincoln County but the tornado threat has really shifted towards Alabama.

As of this morning, a tropical storm warning and flood watch were in effect. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm winds are expected in the next 36 hours. Severe weather is forecast to pass through by commute time Thursday morning but it will depend on tree and power line damage how safe a morning commute would be.

Reid told the board they will know more tonight. He will have a weather briefing with local schools and officials at 12 p.m.

District 1 Supervisor Jerry Wilson asked about sandbags and where residents could get them. Reid told him residents could get just the sand bags from the E911 Office by calling the administrative line at 601-833-5231. The bags will not have sand and the person would be responsible for buying their own sand.

Check back for more updates. Be sure to submit any photos or damage reports by emailing news@dailyleader.com.