Louisiana Beach Goers Warned – Rip Currents, I-10 Road Construction This Weekend

(KMDL-FM) Can you believe that in less than one month, just about everyone in South Louisiana who lives along the I-10 corridor will once again have to be mindful of school buses dropping kids off for class. Yeah, school starts in just about every South Louisiana School District on or about August 7th.

If you're one of those families that has little ones who will be returning to class in a few short weeks, and you were hoping to make another beach trip before that happens, this might not be your best weekend to do that.

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If you have plans to head east to the beaches of Lower Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, there are two issues you need to be aware of. One of those issues involves your family's safety at the beach. The other involves your sanity getting to the beach and back home.

Rip Current conditions are a mixed bag along the northern Gulf Coast this weekend. For the beaches of Alabama, including Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, there will be a risk of moderate rip currents tonight. The threat of rip currents along that section of the coast should lessen during the day on Friday and remain low through the bulk of the weekend.

What Are the Rip Current Conditions on the Florida Beaches This Weekend?

If you're traveling a little further east to the beaches of the Florida Panhandle, namely Navarre, Pensacola, Destin, and Fort Walton, you can expect moderate rip currents today and tonight. Conditions will lessen during the day on Friday and be low for Saturday. But if you plan on taking a dip in the Gulf on Sunday, be warned that there is a moderate risk of rip currents for the Florida beaches on Sunday.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation has already issued information that suggests the next ten days to two weeks of travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast on I-10 could be a challenge. Road crews are currently working on the roadway between the Biloxi River Bridge and mile marker 38. In that work zone, they are closing one lane of travel, so there have been reports of congestion.

Is There Road Construction On I-10 This Weekend?

The main area of concern, according to MDOT, is in the left westbound lane. Crews are working to replace a pipe and repair damages caused by that pipe's failure. The anticipated repair time is ten days. But with a threat of showers and storms each day, some of that work could be delayed, and the project completion time adjusted.

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The fact that this project is in the westbound lanes might mean your ride over to the beach won't be unencumbered. However, your journey back to Louisiana might require more patience than you're willing to give. Plan accordingly.