Mississippi governor declares state of emergency due to floods

Aug. 28 () –

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves on Saturday declared a state of emergency for areas affected by floods ravaging the region.

“This (measure) will allow our state agencies to better assist in our response efforts and carry out their emergency responsibilities,” Reeves explained in a message posted on his Twitter account.

In this sense, the governor has explained that his administration is closely monitoring the situation, in addition to actively working, in order to respond as quickly as possible to the current development of flooding.

This response plan includes the deployment of 126,000 sandbags, the preparation of search and rescue teams to respond to the authorities’ request, and the deployment of drones in the airspace to assess water levels along the Pearl River.

“I want to encourage anyone to remain calm. Be alert, but don’t panic,” Reeves urged. “I encourage neighbors in areas that may flood to be careful, take appropriate precautions and evacuate if necessary,” the governor has asked.

He has also urged the population to check the news and to be attentive to the channels of alerts and emergencies. Thus, he informed that there is a shelter for those who need it at the Jackson Police Training Academy, run by the Red Cross of the country.

While some flooding has already occurred, experts estimate further flooding this week. The Pearl River, in the center of the state, “is expected to peak on Monday, August 29, at 36 feet (about 11 meters). This is 24 hours earlier than originally predicted,” Reeves said in the statement. Therefore, he indicated that “now is the time to begin preparations to protect” families.

In fact, Reeves has warned neighbors of homes that flooded two years ago, “If your house flooded in 2020, there is a high probability that it will happen again.”