The Oktibbeha County Lake Dam in eastern Mississippi is ‘imminent danger’ of failing, officials said on 14 January, 2020.
Recent heavy rainfall and flooding has compromised the dam’s structure. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said that “Oktibbeha County is encouraging residents who live near the Oktibbeha County Lake Dam to evacuate. After inspection, the County Engineer believes failure of the dam is imminent.”
According to local media, if the dam were to break it will flood 17,400 acres of nearby land and about 250 people would have to evacuate at least 112 households.
Elsewhere in the state, heavy rain has caused flash flooding in Warren County, where the county Fire Service and Sheriff’s Department rescued a driver trapped in flood water.
Flooding was also reported in Jackson Metro Area. National Weather Service (NWS) Jackson said late on 14 January: “A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for the Jackson Metro Area. Local officials have reported multiple swift water rescues ongoing or needed in the Downtown Jackson area. More rain is expected! This is a dangerous situation!”
NWS Jackson reported several daily rainfall records were broken on 14 January, with as much as 5.76 inches of rain in Jackson Hawkins Field, 4.51 inches in Jackson Evers, 2.06 inches in Meridian and 3.50 inches in Tallulah-Vicksburg.
The swollen Pearl River is also causing concern. As of 14 January, the river reached 32 feet, 2 inches, well above flood stage of 28 feet.
Social Media
Oktibbeha County is encouraging residents who live near the Oktibbeha County Lake Dam to evacuate. After inspection, the County Engineer believe failure of the dam is imminent. Listed below are the roads that will be closed in the event of a failure #mswx pic.twitter.com/bEZweJmWdf
— MSEMA (@MSEMA) January 14, 2020
Flash Flood Emergency continues for Jackson MS, Clinton MS, Pearl MS until 12:45 PM CST pic.twitter.com/dAix4iK4ju
— @NWSFlashFlood (@NWSFlashFlood) January 14, 2020
This morning, Warren County Fire Service & Warren County Sheriff's Department conducted a water rescue of a driver trapped in this vehicle on Paxton Road at Old Hwy 27. We thank these first responders for their brave work!
Also, please remember, Turn Around Don't Drown. #mswx pic.twitter.com/vMRBIui7HJ— MSEMA (@MSEMA) January 14, 2020
A few rainfall totals from around the area yesterday.
Jackson Hawkins Field 5.76
Jackson Evers 4.51
Meridian 2.06
Tallulah-Vicksburg 3.50— NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) January 15, 2020
Several daily rainfall records have already been broken today as of 4 PM, including:
Jackson (JAN) – 3.70", old record 1.48" in 2013
Meridian (MEI) – 1.45", old record 1.13" in 1918
Vicksburg (TVR) – 2.99", old record 0.94" in 1967
— NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/JacobLanierWx/status/1217158501606264834
@NWSJacksonMS Roses parking lot in Pearl. @DHartman_WAPT @PatrickEllisWx @StormTeam12 pic.twitter.com/eyAptn60TD
— C2Oswalt (@C2Oswalt) January 14, 2020
