Mississippi River projected to crest on April 23; Hwy 465 to close Friday

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The projected crest for this year’s Mississippi River flood event has been updated to around 48 feet on April 23.

Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer reports, “The Mississippi River at the Vicksburg gauge is predicted to crest around 48 feet by April 23 and the backwater is predicted to crest around 90-91 feet. This is considered moderate flooding and will impact numerous roads including HWY 465, which may close Friday April 18th.”

Eagle Lake residents can ride the Yazoo Backwater Levee from Hwy 61 to Hwy 465 to access Eagle Lake. However, heavy trucks are not allowed.

The Steele Bayou Control Structure is closed, and the backwater areas are filling up.

“The Steele Bayou Structure Gates are closed. The Backwater is currently at 88.5’ (up 0.3’ in the past 24 hours),” said Peter Nimrod, Chief Engineer for the Mississippi Levee Board, in an email. “The Corps predicts the backwater will crest around 90’ to 91’ before the gates can re-open. At 90’, there are 156,000 acres underwater in the South Delta. The Corps predicts the gates will re-open by the end of April.”

Be safe during a flood and do not cross a flooded roadway. Most people who die or need to be rescued in a flood are in a vehicle after attempting to cross a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown.

“We want to remind people that it is illegal and dangerous to bypass road closed signs and road barricades,” said Elfer. “Please avoid flooded areas, use caution while traveling the backwater levee, and pay attention to the latest forecasts.”

Flood impacts

• At 38.8 feet the Vicksburg Flood wall gate at Crawford Street is closed.
• At 39.5 Long Lake Road to Eagle Lake Road becomes impassable about 1 mile north of the Long Lake Community.
• At 40.5 Shady Lane Drive becomes impassable. Long Lake Road becomes impassable just north of Cypress Drive.
• At 41 the storm water drain valves are closed at the flood gates along the Vicksburg Water Front.
• At 41.2 Long Lake Road is under water starting where the low road to the island takes off south. Access to Long Lake Community requires a boat.
• At 41.5 water reaches the slab of the first structure in the Chickasaw Bayou Subdivision.
• At 42 the Bunge Grain facility near St. Joseph, Louisiana ceases loading operations.
• At 43 Jackson Lane in North Vicksburg begins to flood.
• At 43.5 the Long Lake Subdivision is completely flooded. Vicksburg Floodwall gates at train depot and the lumber yard gate 8 are closed.
• At 44 the Ford and Kings Subdivision at Pittman Road and Mary’s Alley begin to flood.
• At 44.6 residence on Williams Street in Vicksburg begins to flood.
• At 45 Ford and Kings Subdivision at Williams Street begin to flood.
• At 45.2 Vicksburg Floodwall Gate at South Street is closed.
• At 46 the water level reaches the grain bins at the Bunge Grain facility.
• At 46.5 portions of Highway 465, Eagle Lake Road and several houses are underwater. Portions of Letourneau Road in South Vicksburg are flooded.
• At 46.8 LeTourneau Technologies experiences flooding problems. Vicksburg Floodwall gate number 7 at the lumber yard is closed.
• At 47.8 the Vicksburg Floodwall Gate at Clay Street is closed.
• At 48 culverts in South Vicksburg west of Highway 61 South are full. Low lying businesses near the railroad begin to take on water.
• At 49 the river reaches Hall Road at Cedars Road and the edge of Cedars School Circle on the west side in Vicksburg. Vicksburg Floodwall gate at China Street is closed.