Pearl River crests, but it will be days before floodwaters recede, authorities say

JACKSON, Miss. —The Pearl River reached a crest of slightly above 36.7 feet Monday in Jackson, authorities said.

The river is expected to hold steady until Tuesday morning, when the water level will begin to drop, National Weather Service officials said.

Other areas, particularly in northeast Jackson and in Rankin County along the river, reported a 38-foot river in the Highway 25 area north to the Barnett Reservoir dam, reservoir officials said. Flood stage is 28 feet.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged by flooding and the number is expected to increase to at least 1,000, said Greg Michel, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Gov. Tate Reeves said emergency crews have made 16 rescues since Friday.

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“While we are here to report relatively good news for Jackson and for central Mississippi, we as a state, are not in the clear yet,” Reeves said. “Do not walk or drive through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown. If you are told to evacuate, please heed these orders. Do not return until officials have told you it’s safe.”

Once the river level starts to drop, it will take two or three days for floodwaters to recede, emergency officials said.

More than 156,000 sandbags have been distributed and Jackson’s citywide boil-water alert remains in place.

Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued a mandatory evacuation order Friday and gave residents in the flood zones 24 hours to gather their belongings and get out of their homes.

Hundreds of Jackson residents spent the weekend loading trucks, filling sandbags and avoiding flooded roads. Flood victims have been told they should plan to be out of the homes for about a week.

“There is going to be a period where there is a lot of damage that has to be assessed and debris removed,” Lumumba said.

The mayor urged residents to patient, trusting and supportive of one another because there will be a lengthy recovery process.

Shelters are open in Jackson, Yazoo City and Starkville. The shelter at the Jackson Police Academy at 3000 St. Charles St. will remain open long-term, Lumumba said. Reeves said 24 people stayed in the Jackson shelter Sunday night.