FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES
The Mississippi River is rising again and flood warnings are in effect for Greenville and Washington County until further notice, according to the National Weather Service.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday, the stage was 53.4 feet; the flood stage is 48 feet.
The river is forecasted to remain steady for the next couple of days before rising to near 55.5 feet by Saturday, June 8.
According to the NWS, “Practically all areas between levees are flooded. Approximately 50 buildings have water inside them. Water entered Farmers Grain terminal building north of the Greenville bridge. Electric power is turned off to north and south Lake Ferguson Road and Hillman-Logan Road.”
Residents are reminded to not drive or walk through areas where water covers roadway. The water may be deeper than it appears.
Remember, “Turn around, don’t drown!”
Last week, Gov. Phil Bryant signed a State of Emergency in response to the severe storms and flooding that have impacted the state, beginning May 8. The State of Emergency covers all counties and municipalities that were affected by the severe weather.
A state of emergency is an administrative tool that authorizes the use of state resources to aid in storm response efforts.
Multiple counties throughout the state have experienced major flooding issues that have led to river flooding, backwater flooding, and multiple road closures of state highways and roads, along with county roads.
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated and has coordinated state resources to the county level through the response phase.
Residents are encouraged to report damages and unmet needs to their local emergency management office.
For local government to receive funds as a result of natural disasters, declarations of emergency are issued to begin the process.
Assesments and reporting damages after the disaster is an integral part of the success of local governments pursuit of disaster assistance.
David Burford, Washington County Director of Emergency Management, said the amount of damage reported affects funding and assistance.
“Residents, businesses and government agencies all need to report damages because there may be funding assistance to help with repairs,” Burford said.
“We have a county threshold and a state threshold we have to meet to get federal assistance to help with damages,” he continued. “If you don’t report it, it cant be counted toward the threshold and we miss out on money and can’t help anyone.”
Damages that can be reported include flooding inside your home or business, damage from high winds or both, during the severe storms and flash flooding May 8-9.
Residents should report damage by calling 662-335-1945.
Burford said neighborhoods and streets that do not have a history of flooding were underwater during the May 8-9 event.
Several flash flood events and flooding caused the Washington County Board of Supervisors to extend an emergency proclamation that was approved in February.
“We will likely have damage at the park and roads up on Lake Ferguson,” Burford said. “There are a lot of unknowns at this point and we won’t know until the water gets down and we can get in there what the extent of the damage is.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Washington County to receive Public Assistance as part of Federal Disaster Number 4429, which is in response to the February 22-24 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that impacted the state. The total number receiving federal assistance is now 24.
Both MEMA and FEMA will continue to complete joint damage assessments in other counties that were affected by the February storm system.
