Jackson Free Press

Sept. 5, 2011

UPDATE:
See Weather Service and MEMA warnings about metro here as they come in.

The Pearl River was high this afternoon and expected to rise, the National Weather Service is warning. Just after lunch today, debris was moving swiftly with the currents at the Silas Brown bridge near Jefferson Street in downtown Jackson. About 10 a.m. today, the Weather Service raised its outlook for possible Pearl flooding to "moderately high" from "minor," saying that the river could reach flood stage by this evening. Last night and this morning's rainfall ranged from 8 inches up to 13 inches across the upper portions of the Pearl River Basin, with much of the rainfall in a six-hour period.

Flooding was apparent in other areas of this city this afternoon as well, with ditches and low spots overflowing with water around Jackson and Flowood. Several spots are also flooded near the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Just before noon the Weather Service warned that small streams in Hinds, Rankin, Madison and other nearby counties are at the risk of flooding with up to 15 inches of rainfall runoff expected. About 45 families were evacuated from Camelot Apartments in west Jackson due to creek flooding.

City crews are working to clear downed trees and are in contact with Entergy about downed power lines.

"We anticipate the bulk of the rain to moving out of the area this afternoon," a statement from the city reads. "However, the city urges residents to continue to be cautious and to be on the lookout of any flooded streets or low lying areas. We will be watching the Pearl River stages and will share any additional information as it becomes available."

The Weather Service warned that waters in streams, creeks and river can continue rising throughout the week. This morning the Pearl River stood at 24.6 feet and was expected to reach flood stage of 28 feet by tonight at which point minor flooding occurs in lowlands and water begins backing up into the city's streams and creeks. By 30 feet, water would be under homes in Byram. By 32 feet, water would affect businesses on South President and South Farish and flood Sidney Street. By 33 feet, which could happen by Friday, water would be on West Street. (See more predictions here.)

The Weather Serviced reported at 2:02 p.m. that Highway 80 near the Rankin and Scott county line was closed due to flooding. Pelahatchie Creek in Rankin County was rising and expected to continue to rise.

At 3 p.m., the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed that one person drowned in Tishomingo county "after the vehicle they were traveling in was swept away while driving across a flooded road. Two other people in the vehicle escaped unharmed," MEMA said in a statement.

MEMA reported that showers will continue to produce flash flooding this afternoon east of U.S. Interstate 55 and reiterated the National Weather Service's warning that flooding along local rivers and streams would likely increase over the next several days.

The American Red Cross is operating three shelters in Central Mississippi to help residents impacted by the flooding. In Hinds County, the shelter is in the Greater Bethlehem Temple, 1505 Robinson Road. In Madison County, go to the First Baptist Church 302 W. Jackson St. in Ridgeland. In Rankin County, the shelter is at the Oakdale Baptist Church at 1872 Miss. Highway 471 in Brandon.

We will report more details as they emerge. Please post information about flooding or other problems below to share with other metro residents.

Previous Comments

ID

164838

Comment

The Associated Press is reporting the identity and circumstances of the man who drowned in Tishomingo County: The man who died in Mississippi, 57-year-old John Howard Anderson Jr., had been in a car with two other people trying to cross a rain-swollen creek that naturally flows over the entrance to JP Coleman State Park. Anderson had been staying on a house boat at the park's marina. Tishomingo County Coroner Mack Wilemon said he was told Anderson was outside of the car and had been thrown a rope to be rescued, but he couldn't hold on. Jonathan Weeks, a 48-year-old salesman from Plantersville who owns a vacation home near the park, said he helped pull two people to shore and tried to save Anderson. Weeks said a strong storm had come through the area and he and his wife went out looking around when they saw a van crossing the creek. He happened to have a rope in the tool box of his truck. "It all happened so fast. They were in there trying to get out and panicking. The power was out so everything was dark," Weeks recalled in a phone interview Monday.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-09-05T15:13:09-06:00