The governor of Mississippi has declared a state of emergency while the mayor of its capital city has urged threatened residents to evacuate before a river swells and flood local homes and streets, United States media reported Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
Governor Tate Reeves’s declaration on Saturday follows forecast by the National Weather Station that Pearl River will crest 6 a.m. Monday due to the recent flash flooding and thunderstorms.
If this happens, there will be dozens of streets in downtown Jackson that will flood, Reeves warned, according to Mississippi Today.
Dozens of streets in downtown Jackson and businesses around the Town Creek area of Jackson will flood, Reeves added, according to the Clarion Ledger.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba said in a Saturday press conference at the city’s command center that residents of low-lying areas should leave for their safety.
If you are able to get out of your home, do it now,” Lumumba said, according to Clarion Ledger.
The officials said Saturday the river is projected to crest at 36 feet 24 hours earlier than originally predicted.
The forecast was updated Saturday morning after Jackson and central Mississippi have experienced heavy rainfall throughout the month of August and the reservoir is at capacity and is releasing more water into the lower Pearl River, Clarion Ledger reported.