“We want get them out and pray that the worst doesn’t happen,” Chokwe Mayor Antar Lumumba told CNN’s Pamela Brown. on Sunday evening. “We are not want to risk the possibility that this could happen and they are present within their homes.”
Authorities previously predicted the Pearl River in Mississippi would reach 36 feet and peak by Tuesday due to rain, but the river is now expected to peak from late Sunday evening to Monday evening before slowly lowering.
“Unfortunately, since we have seen these events most recently, in 2020, we have a starting point and we know damage that may occur,” he said.
“If we risk life of one individual, it one there are too many people,” said Lumumba. Our residents have been flooded with lingering rain over in last several days.”
“State of Mississippi is as prepared as possible for It’s a flood,” Reeves said. “My administration, including (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency), is closely monitoring this situation and is actively working to respond as quickly as possible. possible to current developments with flood”.
While river levels this week are not expected to reach 2020 levels, Lumumba told CNN that this is not the case. reason underestimate flood water.
Since the 2020 flood event, Lumumba said officials have been better able to instruct residents on how prepare for in flood photographing of them property and finding them critical the documents.
“No matter if we have the same number of homes which are affected this time, for those homes that are affected, there are too many that can be influenced,” the mayor said. “So we want do sure that we have mitigation after we recover that this should no longer be commonplace in in city of Jackson.”
“We expect the water begin impact neighborhoods as early as Sunday night,” Lumumba said on Saturday, adding as many as 150 homes they are expected to be affected by flooding.
Ross R. Barnett Reservoir inflows peaked on Sunday morning, but “there’s still plenty of water that should flow downstream,” the Pearl River Valley Water District said in a statement. The 33,000-acre reservoir provides water to Jackson and is located upstream of the Pearl River.
Memories of flood 2020
Authorities warning that communities affected by flood in 2020 face high probability of be affected again. “Inhabitants in these affected areas should be ready to leave within 48 hours”, Lumumba said on Saturday.
Mayor warns residents flood water can remain on Earth for a few days, and the inhabitants should be prepared to be away from them homes for up up to two weeks.
Jackson Public Schools announced Saturday when all students at McLeod Elementary School will switch to virtual education on Monday and Tuesday due to flooding in in city. Any students attending other schools in flood affected area can attend classes virtually or in man, the message says.
Low water pressure has caused Forest Hill High Schools and Timberlon Elementary School to switch to virtual study also on Monday and Tuesday, the district said on Sunday.
Meals will available at Spann Elementary School, Chastain Middle School and Murrah High School for all the students who switched to virtual training, the district said.
BUT flood warning remains in effect in parts of Mississippi, including in Jackson around the Pearl River, until further notice, the National Weather Service said.
In Ridgeland, Mississippi just north of Jackson, residents who had to be evacuated during the 2020 floods. found packing their own bags again.
Hot and humid weather preserved
On Saturday morning, after heavy rains, the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District increased its discharge from Barnett Reservoir to 60,000 cubic feet per day. seconda move district warned to supply water on Jackson streets.
The threat of flooding will be limited to local areas on Sunday as slowmoving thunderstorms reforms during the day, according to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam. Scattered thunderstorms can produce an additional 1-2 inches of rain by Sunday evening, mostly south of Interstate 20.
Hot and humid conditions persist with highs in mid and early 80s.
The mayor of Jackson urged residents to stay away from flooded areas.
“We are not need excursionists, but we are not need you put yourself or those who help with rescue work in harm way” Lumumba said.
Michelle Watson and Hanna Sarison of CNN contributed to this report.
