Flooding in Mississippi's Pearl River
- 4 years ago
Mississippi is bracing for historic flooding after days of heavy downpours caused the Pearl River to swell, prompting the evacuation of more than 3,000 people in Jackson.
With the waters in the Pearl River continuing to rise in and around Mississippi's capital city and more rain on the way this week, the governor warned residents that it would be days before flood waters start to recede.
Gov Tate Reeves said Sunday morning that the Pearl would continue to rise throughout the day, and he warned that the state faces a 'precarious situation that can turn at any moment'.
In a tweet, Reeves said the state should prepare for 'the third worst flood' in its history. 'This is a historic, unprecedented flood,' Reeves added.
'While we did get two beautiful days of sunshine, do not let that lull you into a false sense of hope. The flooding has not receded and we are seeing rain and we expect to see rain later in the week as well,' Reeves said. 'I encourage everyone out there to prepare ... Have a plan to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please stay safe, Mississippi.'
Reeves said the Pearl River is expected to crest sometime Monday mid-morning in northeast Jackson, and later in the day on Monday in downtown Jackson.
More than 146,000 sandbags have already been distributed. The National Guard, the Highway Patrol and other high-water rescue teams were on standby, Reeves said.
Gene McGee, mayo of Ridgeland, issued a mandatory evacuation for those who live in Harbor Pines subdivision in Ridgeland.
Residents paddled canoes, kayaks and small fishing boats to check on their houses, giving lifts to other neighbors along the way in one Jackson neighborhood.
Some were able to get inside while others peeked into the windows to see what, if any damage, had been done inside. Outside floodwaters lapped at mailboxes, street signs and cars that had been left in driveways.
In a bit of good news, officials at a reservoir upriver of the capitol said Sunday that water levels in the reservoir had stabilized, allowing them to send less water downriver.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which had been anticipating the river would crest Sunday at 38 feet, on Sunday slightly reduced that to 37.5 feet. The river is now anticipated to crest Monday.
But even with that development, officials urged residents to pay attention to evacuation orders, check on road closures before traveling and stay out of floodwaters, warning that even seemingly placid waters could mask fast-moving currents and pollution.
Law enforcement officials went door to door in affected areas, telling people to evacuate, Reeves said. Rescuers performed four assisted evacuations Saturday, although they said none were needed overnight.
'We expect the river to continue to rise over the next 24 hours or so, ' Reeves said at a news conference in Jackson. 'We are not out of the woods yet.'
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba said power had been shut off to 504 residences as a safety precaution.
With the waters in the Pearl River continuing to rise in and around Mississippi's capital city and more rain on the way this week, the governor warned residents that it would be days before flood waters start to recede.
Gov Tate Reeves said Sunday morning that the Pearl would continue to rise throughout the day, and he warned that the state faces a 'precarious situation that can turn at any moment'.
In a tweet, Reeves said the state should prepare for 'the third worst flood' in its history. 'This is a historic, unprecedented flood,' Reeves added.
'While we did get two beautiful days of sunshine, do not let that lull you into a false sense of hope. The flooding has not receded and we are seeing rain and we expect to see rain later in the week as well,' Reeves said. 'I encourage everyone out there to prepare ... Have a plan to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please stay safe, Mississippi.'
Reeves said the Pearl River is expected to crest sometime Monday mid-morning in northeast Jackson, and later in the day on Monday in downtown Jackson.
More than 146,000 sandbags have already been distributed. The National Guard, the Highway Patrol and other high-water rescue teams were on standby, Reeves said.
Gene McGee, mayo of Ridgeland, issued a mandatory evacuation for those who live in Harbor Pines subdivision in Ridgeland.
Residents paddled canoes, kayaks and small fishing boats to check on their houses, giving lifts to other neighbors along the way in one Jackson neighborhood.
Some were able to get inside while others peeked into the windows to see what, if any damage, had been done inside. Outside floodwaters lapped at mailboxes, street signs and cars that had been left in driveways.
In a bit of good news, officials at a reservoir upriver of the capitol said Sunday that water levels in the reservoir had stabilized, allowing them to send less water downriver.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which had been anticipating the river would crest Sunday at 38 feet, on Sunday slightly reduced that to 37.5 feet. The river is now anticipated to crest Monday.
But even with that development, officials urged residents to pay attention to evacuation orders, check on road closures before traveling and stay out of floodwaters, warning that even seemingly placid waters could mask fast-moving currents and pollution.
Law enforcement officials went door to door in affected areas, telling people to evacuate, Reeves said. Rescuers performed four assisted evacuations Saturday, although they said none were needed overnight.
'We expect the river to continue to rise over the next 24 hours or so, ' Reeves said at a news conference in Jackson. 'We are not out of the woods yet.'
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba said power had been shut off to 504 residences as a safety precaution.