While Marion County dodged a bullet last weekend with the severe weather that caused damage elsewhere in Mississippi, the county is still dealing with flooding threats from substantial rainfall.
Since Jan. 1, the county has received 6.37 inches of rain on top of the 5.88 inches in December. With over a foot of precipitation in the last six weeks, low lying areas and the Pearl River are starting to flood.
Flood stage for the Pearl River in Columbia is 17 feet, according to Emergency Management Director Aaron Greer. As of Tuesday morning, the river was at 20.25 feet and was expected to crest Wednesday at 21 feet.
Ditches along U.S. 98 near the river are covered in water, including rising up on the boat ramp. At the Columbia Water Park the boat ramp is flooded as well as low spots throughout the park.
While the river was expected to crest Wednesday, the gates at the Ross Barnett Reservoir north of Jackson are open to release water from the rains plus additional rainfall is expected throughout the rest of the week.
