Jackson mayor Lumumba declares local emergency as more rain in forecast

Joshua Williams
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Update 5 p.m.: Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba declared a local emergency late Wednesday afternoon concerning the risk of flash flooding to the City of Jackson. 

"The severe weather may include risk of minor to moderate river flash flooding, threat of structural damage, and obstruction to roadways and bridges," Lumumba said in a press statement making the announcement. "There is the possibility of additional excessive rainfall. 

"Local assistance might be necessary to support local government response and recovery efforts."

The national weather service said rain will continue and flooding is possible through Saturday in Central Mississippi.

Thursday’s forecast calls for showers, mainly after 2 p.m., according to the NWS. “The rain could be heavy at times,” NWS forecast for Jackson states.

The high will be near 83 degrees, with a southeast wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Thursday night’s NWS forecast calls for showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 p.m. The low will be around 71 degrees, with a south-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts are expected to be between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Personal items, including shoes, were left behind during Brandon nursing home's evacuation due to heavy flooding in the region in Brandon, Miss., Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

Friday’s forecast calls for likely showers and thunderstorms , mainly after 2 p.m. and it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 86 degrees and calm wind becoming south-southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night’s NWS forecast calls for likely showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. It will be partly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees and a south-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Canton experienced flooding during Wednesday’s heavy rains, according to Albert Jones, Madison County Emergency Management Agency director.

"This flood is pretty much normal areas, Martin Luther King (Drive), Northwest Street, Cameron Street did a lot of low areas that receive a lot of flooding,” Jones said.

While Jones did not have an exact number of residents who have been displaced by the Wednesday flooding, the Madison County Multipurpose building at 501 Soldiers Colony Road in Canton has been opened to the public for people who need a place to stay.

Jones said he believes the water was receding at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday.

“If we get some more rain, we will be in the same situation,” Jones said. “I’m going to say, hopefully we are at the end of this situation.”

Jones asked people to continue to be careful.

“Anybody that drives up to flood water, do not drive through it,” Jones said.

Also at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Mississippi Highway Patrol tweeted aerial pictures of a portion of Highway 489 in Newton County that had significantly been damaged by flooding.

12:45 p.m. update: The National Weather Service reported at 12:45 p.m. that the "heaviest rain is shifting south of the I-20 corridor and spread into south and southeast Mississippi. Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for several areas from Jackson to Meridian and southward to Laurel and Prentiss, with numerous reports of flooding today."

Meanwhile multiple news outlets are reporting that as many as 40 residents of Peach Tree Village a Brandon nursing home were evacuated due to flooding and several areas of Canton are flooded.

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a Flash Flood Warning including Hattiesburg, Petal and Columbia until 5:30 p.m.

Update: 12:45 p.m.

Jackson city officials said Wednesday afternoon that a temporary power outage at one of the city’s well water facilities resulted in a water outage for residents of the Presidential Hills community in northwest Jackson.

"Entergy is aware of the outage and working to restore power," the city announced in a press release. "The City will provide updates as soon as new information is available."

Water distribution site

Jackson city officials also said a water distribution site will open at 2 p.m. today for residents in need. The distribution will take place at 2 p.m. at Fire Station 1. The City will use this location daily for the near future. There is a limit of one case of water per vehicle. The distribution will resume until supplies run out. 

Infobox

  • What: Water distribution site 
  • When: 2 p.m. Saturday, August 20 
  • Where: Fire Station #1 (Headquarters), 555 S. West St. 

Flash flooding and strong rain showers in the Jackson area are still a prominent concern for residents with the current weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service. 

According to The National Weather Service reports, Yazoo City, Jackson, Winnsboro, Vickburg, and Bastrop have moved into a significant threat of flooding as of Wednesday, Aug. 24 with the possibility of rivers overflowing and water rescue. 

Christopher Reiner, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service said rain showers, thunderstorms, and flooding will continue throughout the rest of the week. 

A Brief description of how water can move any vehicle regardless of its size. #Turn around, don't drown.  (Courtesy of The National Weather Service.)

"The city of Jackson is currently under a flash flood watch until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, Reiner said. "We could see up to two to four inches of additional rainfall for this evening and up to three to six inches for Thursday.

"Residents in the Jackson area should also avoid driving on any roadways at the moment due to the enormous amount of flooding the city is experiencing." 

Remember to always turn around, don't drown.