Officials: sandbags available, report damages, contaminants possible, shelter open
Nearly a half foot, 5.93 inches, of rain fell overnight Wednesday causing residents to face the difficulties that accompany flash flooding.
Thursday morning school districts made decisions to postpone or delay start times, many businesses closed and several neighborhoods experienced sewage issues and several cars in Greenville were observed stalled in high-water.
Mayor Errick D. Simmons said it is imperative residents be cautious.
“Given the amount of rainfall in short period of time, we are asking all residents to be patient and know the city is doing all we can do to provide the necessary assistance to all residents,” Simmons said noting he, the city council and emergency essential staff began working to assess and address issues at 6 a.m. Thursday.
According to the mayor’s office all operational pumps are working and public works crews are out cleaning drains and preparing sandbags.
The Greenville fire and police departments began working early Thursday as well by assisting with flooded vehicles and homes.
Residents needing assistance vacating flooded homes or issues with flooded vehicles are advised to call 911.
“Be safe, as safety is first,” Simmons said in a statement. “Please so not drive in flooded areas, as flood waters can be deceiving.”
Sandbags are available for residents to pick up at the City Compound, 502 Mill Rd.
Arcola residents can pick up sandbags at the fire station in Arcola.
Residents in Hollandale, Leland, Metcalfe and other county areas can pick up sand bags at the county shop, 3114 County Shop Rd. in Greenville, and behind the Washington County Expo Building at 1040 S Raceway Rd. in Greenville.
Residents seeking shelter are advised to call Red Cross at 662-378-3245.
The Washington County Office of Emergency Management is encouraging residents and businesses to report damage to structures by calling 662-335-1945 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Reports information should include name, address, phone number and the type of damage.
According to the OEM, it is possible flood waters may be contaminated.
Treat all flood waters as if contaminated and stay out of flood water if possible.
Wear rubber boots and other protective clothing to keep flood waters from coming into contact with the skin. Thoroughly clean anything that comes in contact with flood water.
The flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect through 7 p.m. Saturday.
Areas included in the watch are Washington and Bolivar counties, Ashley and Chicot counties in Arkansas and Morehouse Parish in Louisiana.
Periods of thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall rates could produce several additional inches of rainfall in a short period of time leading to rapid runoff and flash flooding, according to the NWS.
Today, Saturday and Sunday have forecasts including showers and a heavy thunderstorm each day.
Monday brings some relief with a forecast of sunshine.
On May 18, the NWS forecast the Mississippi River will rise another foot to 55 feet’ at Greenville, flood stage 48 feet, and 50 feet at Vicksburg, flood stage 43 feet.
In March 2018, city engineer Mark Hooker said that part of the problem stems from cross drains and culverts designed for 25 year storms.
“We’re getting a rainfall that’s probably two, two and a half times what all of the typical design standards are designed for. We couldn’t afford to put in, to build a structure to handle a 100 year storm every time it happens,” he said during a Greenville Public Works Committee meeting,
A few years ago, Hooker said the city nearly tripled the size of culverts to allow more water to drain.
“The drainage getting to the main drain, No. 7 — everything that gets to there has been increased substantially in the past three or four years,” he said. “We can get the water to the ditch but it just can’t get out of here.”
Bill Burle, of W. L. Burle Engineers, said during the same meeting the only way for the water to escape Greenville after the ditches reach capacity is the levee.
“With the main canal and ditches at top bank it has nowhere for it to go unless we pump it over the levee,” he said.
