MEMA urges residents to take precaution to flooding along the Mississippi River

PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is warning residents to be aware of near record river crests being forecasted along the Mississippi River in the coming weeks.  An additional 3 to 6 inches of rain in Arkansas over the weekend could push these forecasts even higher.

All the counties along the river that experienced flooding in 2008 could see water levels up to 3 feet higher.

Here are some of the forecasted crests along the river:

River Gauge	Flood Stage	Forecasted Crest	Date of Crest
Helena	44 feet	52.5 feet	May 12
Arkansas City	37 feet	48.5 feet	May 14
Greenville	48 feet	60 feet	May 15
Vicksburg	43 feet	53.5 feet	May 18
Natchez	48 feet	60 feet	May 20

Residents should not wait for the river to reach flood stage and should act now to before water impacts their property by moving valuable items to higher ground.

 

“This flooding event has the potential to affect numerous homes, businesses and roads along the Mississippi River,” said MEMA Director Mike Womack.  “This is the type of event which could impact and even displace residents for an extended period of time.  Now is the time to know what you are going to do to protect your family and property.”

Residents are also encouraged to check with their insurance agents to go over what their flood insurance policies will and will not cover.  For more on the National Flood Insurance Program go to MEMA’s website at www.msema.org and click on the “Floods” link on the front page.

MEMA will continue to provide additional reports as information becomes available.

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