Hurricane Sally is not projected to make landfall for at least 24 hours, but South Mississippi was already dealing with flooding and water over U.S. 90 in certain parts of the Coast on Monday.
Sally is projected to make landfall possibly in Harrison or Jackson County on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and is expected to move slowly over land, dumping rain and causing life-threatening storm surge of 7 to 11 feet in some areas.
Casinos closed Monday and roads near the Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County were impassable in the early afternoon.
Crews worked to pump more sand onto beaches in Bay St. Louis, and residents lined the sidewalks to take photos flooding. Water eclipsed North Beach Boulevard in parts of Waveland.
Officials said high-water rescues will be limited when Sally hits the Coast.
Residents living in low-lying areas moved boats, RVs and vehicles to a parking lot in Waveland ahead of landfall.