Heading for Higher Ground

Cows graze at the levee under Mississippi 465, between Eagle Lake and Chotard Landing Resort. Much of the animals' grazing land north of the highway is covered with water.

The Mississippi River is continuing to cause widespread flooding in northern states and create steady rises here in Vicksburg. Some residents are being forced to move to higher ground while others prepare for an evacuation they hope from which to be spared. On Friday, the river at Vicksburg rose to 39.1 feet, an increase of 0.7 feet from the previous day. Flood stage at the city is 43 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage Wednesday, and crest at 46 feet on April 5. A flood warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the lower Mississippi River region, including Vicksburg.

The City Street Department crews are installing the steel framework for panels that, if necessary, can be used to close the flood wall that separates Horizon Casino's parking lot and the Yazoo River Diversion Canal. Flooding is expecting north and south of town in the low lying areas. We do have a flood walls in front of the city which sits high on top of a bluff overlooking the Yazoo River Diversion Canal. Actually, the floodwall goes so far and stops right at the entrance into the Mississippi River. We have three casino boats that sit in cofferdams so when the water rises the boat will rise with it. The rising water is NOT a sweetthing!