JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Flood warnings were issued Tuesday for central Mississippi and the Delta, the hardest-hit regions from a storm system that brought heavy rain and powerful winds to the state since Sunday.
The National Weather Service said a fast-moving storm system would bring with it about a half inch of rain. Meteorologist Daniel Lamb said the rainfall could be expected to keep river and creek levels where they are for a while longer.
Flood warnings have also been issued for secondary rivers and streams in Mississippi.
One death in Yazoo County and seven injuries in the Covington County area from an EF-2 tornado were reported Monday. The body of a 9-year-old girl was recovered in Yazoo City on Monday night after she was swept away by weekend flash flood waters.
In Covington County, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said emergency officials reported 11 homes completely destroyed and 17 with major damage. Twenty-one homes had minor damage. The American Red Cross said more than 40 people sought refuge at a shelter at the Covington County Multipurpose Center.
In Jackson, Hinds County Emergency Management director Ricky Moore said Tuesday the Pearl River will rise to 35 feet by Wednesday morning. Moore said the river will reach 35.5 feet by Friday morning. Flood stage is 28 feet.
Moore said no homes should be affected by the rising water, but some Jackson streets will be flooded.
Lamb said the problem area is the Interstate 20, corridor especially where U.S Highway 49 south of Jackson remains closed in the D’Lo and Braxton areas because of incessant rain Sunday that pushed Dabbs Creek over its banks. Some of the worst flooding was in Rankin, Smith and Simpson counties, Lamb said. Some areas had as much as 6 inches of rain.
“Anyone traveling Highway 49 should seek alternative routes or face being stranded on Highway 49 until the flooding recedes,” Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Warren Strain said in a statement.
Strain said Mississippi Highway 13 three miles north of Mendenhall also is closed due to flooding from Strong River, which was expected to crest Tuesday at 34.3 feet. Flood stage is 25 feet. Lamb said the record high for the river was 33.48 feet on April 7, 1983.
Lamb said Mississippi will get a brief respite from the rain after Tuesday. He said the six- to 10-day forecast indicates more rain next week - a chance for rivers and streams to drop over the next few days.
Rainfall in the Jackson area is at 6 ½ inches above normal since March 1, Lamb said.
In Jones County, the Tallahala Creek at Mississippi Highway 15 south of Laurel was expected to crest at 20 feet Wednesday. The flood stage is 13 feet.
Jones County Emergency Management Director Marda Tullos said in a statement Tuesday that some areas can expect major flooding along Highway 15. Tullos urged people to protect their families and property before the water gets too high.
“We cannot stress to citizens how dangerous this situation is, and how seriously the citizens need to take this flood emergency,” said Tullos.
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