PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received damage reports from several counties from severe storms and flash flooding that occurred Thursday into Friday morning. More than 10 inches of rain fell in portions of south Mississippi causing extreme flash flooding. High winds and possible tornadoes caused damage in Warren and Yazoo counties. Two injuries were reported in Jones County.
There are two shelters open and being managed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Red Cross for displaced citizens:
- Petal Civic Center
- Jones County Saferoom in Laurel
The public is encouraged to report damage to homes or businesses to their county emergency management office. A directory of all the offices can be found at HERE.
The National Weather Service is forecasting another round of storms over the weekend into early next week. Residents need to be ready for additional rainfall to cause flooding with the ground being saturated and many rivers at or above flood stage, especially in the southern part of the state.
Initial damage reports by county (assessments ongoing):
- Clarke: Homes and roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding.
- Forrest: Homes and roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding. Shelter open.
- Jasper: Roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding.
- Jones: Homes and roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding. Shelter open. Two injuries.
- Lauderdale: Roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding.
- Warren: Eleven Homes, two businesses and two public buildings damaged.
- Wayne: Homes and roads damaged or inaccessible from flooding.
- Yazoo: Six homes and one business damaged.
MEMA has staff deployed to affected counties to assist with damage assessments.
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated and monitoring any requests or unmet needs from counties. MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information during this event is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter @msema.