Floodwaters present ‘a toxic soup’ for cleanup and repair

The lakes that now surround Highway 61 through the Delta will once again become fields as the Mississippi River and Backwater flood waters begin their slow recession into the Gulf of Mexico. With any luck, they will be farmer’s fields by this time next year.

Don’t go in the water because the floodwaters are a “toxic soup.”

What is lurking in the water now and what is being left behind are disasters of epic proportions that have many concerned.

“It’s definitely not safe to go in the flood waters,” Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer told the Vicksburg Daily News. “Not just because of the debris, the floating debris, but the chemical hazards and the biohazards. You’ve got all kinds of chemicals from petroleum products, gasoline, diesel fuel, propane tanks, everywhere. You’ve got septic tanks that have been compromised. You’ve got bacteria. But no. It is definitely not safe to go in this floodwater.

“You’ve got dead animals all over the place,” he said. “It’s a toxic soup. That’s what it is.”

Dead and starving animals have become a common sight for those who traverse the flooded area. Humans, however, have been advised to be cautious around all animals, alive and dead.

Russ Walsh, Executive Wildlife Bureau Director with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said there should be “no big issues on the consumption of legally harvested animals.” He went on to remind Mississippians, though, that 19 deer were confirmed to have chronic wasting disease in the state. “Deer are more apt to be hit by a vehicle because they are not neurologically sound,” he said.

For those who may think about grabbing a deer killed on the side of the road, Walsh warned that harvesting roadkill is especially dangerous for a number of reasons, the biggest one being “the summer heat and how quickly meat can spoil in these temperatures.”

A raccoon feeding on cat food with a deer just over its shoulder. Wildlife are coming back to life now that the state has allowed food to be placed for them.

“Have that deer tested,” Walsh advised, while also saying that it is illegal to be in possession of a deer this time of year. “Exercise caution,” he said. “Animals are trapped and stressed. Avoid contact with animals. If you see an animal acting strangely, notify our agency at 601-432-2400.”

Director Walsh said his department has been monitoring the flood and the affected wildlife and will continue to collect data.

When asked by the Vicksburg Daily News whether the pumps in Steele Bayou should be completed, Walsh said: “The Wildlife and Parks Commission voted last week to support the installation of the pumps.”

What now?

The biggest challenge of the Great Backwater Flood of 2019 lies ahead for many. State and local agencies provide what they can during these times. They also use these events to learn how to best prepare for the next event, and that includes getting information from residents.

“We need the assistance of hunters and landowners to understand the impact of this flood,” Wildlife Director Walsh said.

When the waters recede, affected residents will face the issue of whether to rebuild or not.

For Valley Park farmer Billy Whitten, his decision is over a vacation lake house. “I don’t know if we will rebuild or not,” he said. “I suppose if the kids want me to I will.”

Others have no choice.

South Delta resident Bump Callaway spoke with compassion of a friend who had worked hard his whole life to build a retirement home on Eagle Lake. His friend’s home is now unliveable, but there’s not much he can do. “They can’t rebuild,” Callaway said. “They don’t have the resources. They used up all their reserve to survive during the flood. Now they’ve got nowhere to go.”

“They and people like them are the real victims of this flood,” he said.

If homeowners return to their properties, one of their first jobs will be removing debris. “When people go in to start ripping out and repair their homes, the risk of mold is likely,” Director Elfer said. “Then you’ve got other things to deal with: building materials, nails, all kinds of stuff. It might not be a bad idea for people to start getting tetanus shots and thinking about things like that.”

Many of the building regulations that affect the flooded Warren County areas were put in place because of the last big backwater flood in the 1970s. “We try to learn from each event and create ways to lessen the impact of the next event,” Elfer said.

The Warren County Emergency Management Agency is offering guidance to residents for debris removal and rebuilding. On June 12, the agency put out a preliminary statement regarding permits for all residents whose homes need repair (edited for clarity):

We have received some calls regarding permits as they will apply to post-flood clean up and repairs to houses that have been affected by floods on both the Mississippi River side and the backwater side. So we wanted to take an opportunity to put out some basic floodplain permit information that may be helpful to those homeowners as we begin the recovery phase.

No construction, repairs, dredging, filling, grading or other activities may occur in the special flood hazard area without first obtaining a permit.

To obtain a permit in a flood zone, you must have a completed elevation certificate for the structure (this does not apply to bank repair or pier repair or other activity not directly connected to the structure) before a permit can be issued on a house that has been damaged in the flood hazard area (flood, fire, storm, etc.). A substantial damage estimate (SDE) must be completed on the home.

If the SDE indicates that the home is damaged over 50% or more of its value, the structure must be in compliance with the most current Warren County floodplain ordinance.

This means that structures below a BFE (Base Flood Elevation) of 101.5′ that are substantially damaged must be elevated to the current standard.

The road sign says ‘Cut Off Road,’ ironically.

If the home was built after 1979 and has an enclosure below the BFE that is finished living space, the enclosure must be brought into compliance with the floodplain ordinance. Warren County allows enclosures below the BFE as long as they are not finished, are constructed out of flood-proof material, are to be used only for accessible storage and parking, and must have the appropriate number of flow-throughs. Toilets and finished bathrooms are not allowed below the BFE.

Structures built prior to 1979 with finished enclosures below 101.5′ must be brought into compliance if they are damaged over 50%.

In regards to storage, sheds, shops, barns, etc., as long as it is not finished and has no living space and has the appropriate number of flow-throughs, the building may be built or installed below the BFE. The storage building must also be permanently anchored to prevent floating. Butane tanks must also be secured to prevent floating.

We understand how much stress this has caused not only the Eagle Lake Community but all other areas in Warren County on both the river side and the backwater side, and we will do everything possible to assist, inform and educate the public about the Warren County floodplain ordinance in an effort to save lives and prevent damage for future floods.

Quick guide books and copies of the Warren County floodplain ordinance are available in the Warren County Permit Office located in the basement of the courthouse at 1009 Cherry Street. If you have specific questions. call 601-636-1690 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An alligator warms up in the late afternoon sun.

After a historic number of days underwater, the victims of the Great Backwater Flood of 2019 still face an uphill fight to normalcy. Said Eagle Lake Assistant Fire Chief Chris Libbey, “We’re trying to keep laughing, and we pray a lot.”

(David Day wrote this story, and Ronni Mott contributed and made this report readable.)