'UNPRECEDENTED FLOOD'
US weather forecast: State of emergency declared as huge river in Mississippi reaches historic levels
MISSISSIPPI has declared a state of emergency today amid fears that the river running around Jackson could burst its banks at any minute, causing "historic, unprecedented" flooding.
Governor Tate Reeves said people should prepare for “the third worst flood” in the state capital's history after forecasters said that the Pearl River will crest at 38 feet (11.6 metres) Sunday evening to levels not seen since 1983.
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He tweeted: “This is a historic, unprecedented flood” as parts of Jackson and suburban Ridgeland were put under evacuation orders.
Some people had already filled trucks with furniture and everything they could salvage as they raced to escape the rising waters.
Reeves said more than 2,400 homes and other structures in and near Jackson could be destroyed or isolated in the next 48 hours as rain is expected to pound down and push the river out of its banks.
Homes include 1,925 structures in Hinds County, 461 in Rankin County and 31 in Madison County.
More than 96,000 sandbags had already been distributed by Saturday. The National Guard, the Highway Patrol and other high-water rescue teams are also on standby.
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Residents are being told not to wait because the river is expected to crest at night and remain high for days, with rain in the forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Signing the declaration to speed up flood funding Reeves said: "I cannot stress to you how important the next 24 to 48 hours is for the people who are going to be affected."
When the Pearl River crested at its highest level, 43.2 feet, on April 17, 1979 it caused up to $700 million in damage and saw 15,000 people evacuated.
The Ross Barnett Reservoir is approaching capacity and will begin slowly releasing water at 6 pm on Saturday in an attempt to keep flooding to a minimum downstream and allow extra time for residents to get to higher ground.
However there is some good news: Officials report that areas north of the main lake have crested and are beginning to fall.
The crest at the reservoir is now expected Sunday morning.
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