Animals & Reptiles Caught-Up In The Flooding

In Sunday's Vicksburg Post classified ads, Byron Flowers, had sent in several pictures that he took while traveling on the Mississippi River Mainline Levee near Halpino Lake.  He saw herds of deer crossing the levee, obviously running from the rising water.  He said about 500 deer passed that afternoon.  In the bottom photo an alligator appears to be taking a break from the floodwaters north of town.  

My daughter, Kathy, who works at Riverwalk Casino said that a Security Supervisor witness deer swimming across the MS River.

Water, Water Everywhere!

A new flood wall is completed and hopefully will hold the water back from the Art Park and murals.  As of this morning, the Depot is taking on water.

Hopefully, the flood wall will hold with the beautiful mural paintings and Catfish Row Art Park for the kids.  It is a possibility that the water could come over the walls.

Grand Station Casino's boat, formally Horizon, rising up to the flood wall in it's cofferdam.

Looking down towards Highway 61 at Jeff Davis Road.  You can see the backwater of the MS coming closer to the highway south of town.

Driving 61 South the water is creeping nearer the road.

Passing over the Big Black River that is rising everyday.

Fields on the right side of the road inundated with water.

LeTourneau's (shipyard) closed because of the rising MS River.

Knocking on Rainbow Casino and Hotel's back door.

Sign at Diamond Jack's Casino.  It's almost to the parking lot!

Part of Diamond Jack's Casino is submerged in the MS. River.

 Sandbagging barrier built for Ergon's business next to Diamond Jack's.

WLBT-TV Reporting Great Flood of 2011

WLBT-TV (Jackson, MS) reports the flooding at the MS overlook this past Tuesday.

Taken from the Riverfront Park which may go underwater as well.

Barge heading downstream.

Johnny M

Next to the Vicksburg Riverfront Park is the Diamond Jacks Casino.  As you can see it is lapping at their back door.  Diamond Jacks is closed now.  Also, AmeriStar has closed it's doors.  Grand Station Casino, formally, Horizon, has been closed for renovations.  Their are only two Casinos left, Riverwalk and Rainbow.  They will most likely close in a few days.  

Rail near the parking lot at Diamond Jacks.  Rail may be shut down as well. 

A huge tugboat passes while pushing a barge up the MS River.

Ergon's Maritime boats leaving and going to the Port of Vicksburg.  The port has 25 businesses and for the time being can deliver goods.  An area between U.S. 61 North and the port is expected to flood.  South of I-20, flooding is predicted between the river and U.S. 61 South, extending into northwest Claiborne County and east on the Big Back River to Fisher Ferry Road.  International Paper, Vicksburg Mill at Redwood (north) will close tomorrow to prepare for the rising water.

A small boat speeds past the huge tugboat as it prepares to make the wide turn in the bend of the river.

Vicksburg Casinos @ The MS River

MS River at the back door of Rainbow Casino.  Note the trees behind Rainbow already underwater.

Canadian Geese relaxing on the grounds near the water at Rainbow Casino.

Coming down the hill towards Riverwalk Casino as a barge is passing by!

Riverwalk where my daughter works as a Supervisor.  Note the sand in front of the building.

A view of the rising MS River south of the bridges at Riverwalk Casino.  They are estimating that the parking lot will be flooded by mid next week.

  

A run-a-way buoy on it's way to the Gulf of Mexico!

Looking south from Riverwalk Casino.

More piles of sand at Riverwalk with Rainbow Hotel and Casino in the far distance.

Flood Waters In Memphis

I-40 looking towards West Memphis.

Baseball fields in Raleigh-Frayser (James Road ball fields)

Music Fest on the river - water is still rising.

CBHS athletic field near Baptist Hospital.

Car dealer row on Covington Pike.

Germantown Pkwy where the Agricenter is at Shelby Farms.

Shelby County training facility at Shelby Farms.

Bus lot on Summer Avenue.

Tom Lee Park

Summer Drive In

Shooting Range at Shelby Farms.

Putt Putt on Summer.

A friend of mine sent me these photos of the flooding already in Memphis. Here in the Vicksburg area we are preparing for the worst.  About 800 residents of the Eagle Lake community, north of Vicksburg, had to evacuate along with all their animals. The road was closed Tuesday night.   I will be posting pictures of the flooding sent to me via email and some that I will take. 

Flood Walls Are Closed

What really concerns me is the former Yazoo & Mississippi Valley RR Station that is being renovated and there's no flood wall behind it.  This morning as we drove down the hill, facing the Yazoo Diversion Canal, I took this picture.  At the bottom of the hill to the right, a new flood wall is being built, closing off the street in front of the building.  It's probably being constructed to save the riverfront murals.  I would think the depot is in jeopardy big time!  

According to Wikipedia, the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley RR was incorporated in 1882 and was part of the Illinois Central Railroad system (IC).  Construction began in Jackson, MS, and continued to Yazoo City, MS.  The line was later expanded through the MS Delta and on to Memphis, TN.  In 1982, the IC bought the Memphis-New Orleans Louisville, New Orleans and TX Railway and they later purchased the MS & TN Railroad.  These lines were merged into the Y&MV.  

Between 1945 and 1946 the IC began to absorb its subsidiaries and the Yazoo and MS Valley RR ceased to operate as an independent railroad.  

I have a love of trains because my Grandfather, James E. Love, was a telegraph operator for the IC RR for 50 years.  He was originally from New Orleans and came to Vicksburg when my Dad was 9 years old.  We would get passes when I was young and ride the trains!  What great memories!  I would really hate to see this historical building take on water. 

Entrance - Floodgate

Looking toward Horizon Casino and the Exit from the waterfront.

Exit from the waterfront closed.  The Horizon Casino boat is in a cofferdam.

Tidus!

Recently, I received this picture of my Great Grandson, Tidus, who lives in Montana. This was taken on Easter and it looks like he is having a great time with his happy face!  He is so handsome!  Wished we did not live so far away.  He is really growing up fast. Great-Gran Gran misses and loves you so much sweetie!  xxoo 

Music In The Woods

Clever music making in the woods...watch for the deer to appear!

Old Rusty Vehicles

Early 1950's Plymouth

Early 1950's Willys Jeep

About one block down from our home is an abandoned home with a separate building for these two parked vehicles.  I don't know who used to live at this home but for the last 20 years that we have lived in the area, these vehicles have been sitting and aging with time.  As you can see, they had been covered up with some kind of tarp that has now rotten away with time.  I have gone pass this home so many times but stopped today to take some pictures.  I'm sure if they could only talk...could tell us some tales of their wild rides!