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Mississippi Governor Declares Emergency Amid Rising Floodwaters Mississippi Governor Declares Emergency Amid Rising Floodwaters
(about 16 hours later)
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi braced on Saturday for what forecasters warned could be one of the worst floods to hit the central part of the state in decades, prompting officials to urge thousands to leave their homes or otherwise prepare for the rise in water levels expected after nightfall.JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi braced on Saturday for what forecasters warned could be one of the worst floods to hit the central part of the state in decades, prompting officials to urge thousands to leave their homes or otherwise prepare for the rise in water levels expected after nightfall.
“Please heed these orders to take care of yourself and your loved ones,” Gov. Tate Reeves said at a news conference. “Get out while you can. Do not return until officials determine that it’s safe.”“Please heed these orders to take care of yourself and your loved ones,” Gov. Tate Reeves said at a news conference. “Get out while you can. Do not return until officials determine that it’s safe.”
Officials said the Pearl River was anticipated to swell to levels that had not been seen in at least 35 years, threatening Jackson, the state capital, and other communities along the river. The flooding follows heavy rainfall and tornadoes that have already battered Mississippi this month. Fears of the damage to come prompted Mr. Reeves on Saturday to declare a state of emergency.Officials said the Pearl River was anticipated to swell to levels that had not been seen in at least 35 years, threatening Jackson, the state capital, and other communities along the river. The flooding follows heavy rainfall and tornadoes that have already battered Mississippi this month. Fears of the damage to come prompted Mr. Reeves on Saturday to declare a state of emergency.
Already, some areas have been engulfed by water, forcing road closures and trapping some people temporarily in their homes. But forecasters said that the worst was expected to come after dark on Saturday, when the river was predicted to crest at 38 feet, a level last reached in 1983. Already, some areas have been engulfed by water, forcing road closures and trapping people temporarily in their homes. But forecasters said that the worst was expected to come after dark on Saturday, when the river was predicted to crest at 38 feet, a level last reached in 1983.
Officials estimated that more than 2,400 structures could be affected by the flooding, mostly in Hinds County but also in neighboring Rankin and Madison Counties. More than 96,000 sandbags were distributed ahead of the flood, and boat teams and high-water vehicles were ready to be deployed.Officials estimated that more than 2,400 structures could be affected by the flooding, mostly in Hinds County but also in neighboring Rankin and Madison Counties. More than 96,000 sandbags were distributed ahead of the flood, and boat teams and high-water vehicles were ready to be deployed.
Water levels at the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, a 33,000-acre lake northeast of Jackson, rose quickly in recent days and officials said they would have to resort to opening a spillway, threatening further flooding downstream. “We will reach capacity and have no option but to release the water,” said John G. Sigman, general manager of Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, according to WAPT-TV, a local station.Water levels at the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, a 33,000-acre lake northeast of Jackson, rose quickly in recent days and officials said they would have to resort to opening a spillway, threatening further flooding downstream. “We will reach capacity and have no option but to release the water,” said John G. Sigman, general manager of Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, according to WAPT-TV, a local station.
“We committed to allow time for the people downstream to evacuate and prepare,” Mr. Sigman added, “and we will hold to that promise as long as we can.”“We committed to allow time for the people downstream to evacuate and prepare,” Mr. Sigman added, “and we will hold to that promise as long as we can.”
Emergency officials urged residents in the strongest terms to clear out before releases from the reservoir expanded. “Do not wait until water gets into your house to evacuate,” Gregory S. Michel, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said on Saturday. “Do not wait until water envelops your home or blocks a road so that you cannot get out.”Emergency officials urged residents in the strongest terms to clear out before releases from the reservoir expanded. “Do not wait until water gets into your house to evacuate,” Gregory S. Michel, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said on Saturday. “Do not wait until water envelops your home or blocks a road so that you cannot get out.”
There were fears that threatened residents could be misled about the gravity of the situation by the weather on Saturday, with clear, sunny skies and temperatures hovering for much of the day around a crisp 60 degrees. It had been a welcome burst of pleasant conditions after torrents of rainfall, which was forecast to resume late Saturday and continue into Sunday. There were fears that threatened residents could be misled about the gravity of the situation by the sunny weather on Saturday, with clear skies and temperatures hovering for much of the day around a crisp 60 degrees. It had been a welcome burst of pleasant conditions after torrents of rainfall, which was forecast to resume late Saturday and continue into Sunday.
“If you look out at 4 or 5 o’clock this afternoon and the sun is out shining brightly and you don’t currently have water in your house,” Mr. Reeves said, “that doesn’t mean that it’s not coming.”“If you look out at 4 or 5 o’clock this afternoon and the sun is out shining brightly and you don’t currently have water in your house,” Mr. Reeves said, “that doesn’t mean that it’s not coming.”
The Pearl River has exceeded 38 feet only twice in recent history, in 1979 and 1983, and the warnings have stoked memories of the toll wrought when flood water washed over Jackson.The Pearl River has exceeded 38 feet only twice in recent history, in 1979 and 1983, and the warnings have stoked memories of the toll wrought when flood water washed over Jackson.
“I want to be clear,” Mr. Reeves said. “This is a historic event.”“I want to be clear,” Mr. Reeves said. “This is a historic event.”