Jackson Free Press

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. urged residents to drive with caution and stay clear of debris resulting from tornadoes during a press conference today at the Hinds County Emergency Operations Center in Jackson.

"We are working hard to make sure clean up happens as expeditiously as possible," Johnson said.

In an effort to help residents remove debris from their yards, Johnson said the city will have roll-off dumpsters available at Tougaloo Park, Lake Hico and Manhattan Park.

The city does not have any confirmed reports of death or injuries at this time. 
Johnson said that the worst damage to homes is on Northside Drive, and the Queens and the Northwest Hills area.

Property damage has been reported at Malaco on Northside Drive, Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard, and Industrial Drive The city has sent two Jackson Fire Department vehicles to Clinton for emergency assistance.

Johnson said that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure scheduled for tomorrow in downtown Jackson will go on as planned.

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MEMA receives additional damage reports from severe weather PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to receive initial reports of damages from counties across the state related to a severe spring storm system and tornadoes moving through the state. Attala: Injuries have been reported and damage in the Possum Neck area. Choctaw: Several trees down and roads flooded. Clay: At least one home and several apartment units are uninhabitable, several roads closed due to debris/flooding and several residents have been displaced. Copiah: Entire area reportedly affected with several roads flooded. Greene: Homes and mobile homes damage, trees and power lines down, road blocked due to debris. Hinds: Reports of damage and injuries and initial damage assessments are underway. Clinton has asked that residents stay off their cells phones because lines are extremely clogged. To report storm damage in Hinds County, residents are being asked to call 601-960-1476. Issaquena: One mobile home destroyed. Leflore: Three homes/mobile homes uninhabitable, one cotton gin, three power lines and several trees down. Three people have been displaced. Monroe: Reports of flash flooding in the Hamilton and Strong communities. Several roads closed due to flooding and debris. Neshoba: At least one mobile home damaged and a few additional structures with minor damage. Several roads are also closed due to flooding. Rankin: Several homes uninhabitable and at least one road closed in the Pigsah/Sandhill community. Scott: One home/mobile home uninhabitable, two roads closed due to debris/flooding. Tallahatchie: At least one home with damage and numerous trees down and power outages throughout the county. Warren: Two homes with major damage and one mobile home destroyed. One person listed with minor injuries. Wayne: At least one home with damage, one home with major damage, one home destroyed and one business destroyed. Severe weather is expected to continue throughout the day. MEMA will continue to provide additional reports as information becomes available. Residents should continue to monitor local media and keep their weather radios on for weather warnings and reports. For more information, visit us online at www.msema.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook using the keyword MSEMA.

DonnaLadd

Apr 15 2011

SPECIAL ROLL OFF DUMPSTER LOCATIONS FOR STORM DEBRIS Saturday April 16, 2011 The City of Jackson is encouraging citizens to use special dumpster locations for the disposal of Friday’s storm debris. Tree limbs, rubbish and other storm related waste can be brought to one of the following locations from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., weather permitting. Ward 2 Manhattan Park, 5401 Manhattan Road Ward 2 Tougaloo Community Center, 318 Vine Street Ward 2 Lake Hico Park, 4851 Watkins Drive Ward 4 Grove Park (entrance off California Avenue) Road Ward 4 Raines Park, 5206 Clinton Blvd (in parking lot off Flag Chapel) Residents may also bring household furniture and appliances for disposal. However, tires, chemicals, gas tanks and other hazardous materials are not accepted in Roll off Dumpster program. Participants are required to place debris inside dumpster provided at the locations. City businesses and residents living outside the city limits of the City of Jackson are not eligible to participate. Proof of residency may be required. If residents hire contracts to clear debris, those contractors are responsible for disposal.

DonnaLadd

Apr 15 2011

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR SEVERAL COUNTIES JACKSON – A State of Emergency has been declared for 14 Mississippi counties after spring storms swept across the state. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, in consultation with Gov. Haley Barbour, ordered the State of Emergency. The counties of Attala, Choctaw, Clay, Copiah, Greene, Hinds, Issaquena, Kemper, Leflore, Neshoba, Rankin, Tallahatchie, Warren and Wayne reported damage from the storms. The State of Emergency order allows emergency responders to efficiently utilize resources and receive state aid to respond to the situation. “Our prayers are with the families and communities that have been affected by this line of strong storms,” Gov. Barbour said. “This emergency declaration will help local responders begin recovery quickly.” Gov. Barbour is in South Carolina and will return to Mississippi tomorrow.

DonnaLadd

Apr 15 2011

The Water and Sewer Maintenance number is down due to the storm. Residents may call 601-960-1111 tonight to report any water or sewer issues they may have.

DonnaLadd

Apr 15 2011