Gov. Bryant declares State of Emergency after heavy rains, river flooding

MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - Gov. Phil Bryant Sunday declared a State of Emergency for all affected areas in the state from recent storms.

Storms beginning May 8 produced some tornadoes and heavy flooding across the state, which South Mississippi began to experience the brunt of on May 11.

Floodwaters in Pearl River County Saturday caused a train to derail just north of Hillsdale Road. Emergecy officials were already conducting high-water rescues by Saturday morning.

Rising water from the Red Creek in Stone County resulted in about a dozen residents in the Mill Creek RV Park needing to be rescued. Portions of Highway 49 in Stone County were closed to traffic for much of the day Sunday due to flooding.

River waters began to reach flood stages late Saturday night, making some roads impassible by Sunday morning. Multiple streets in the Biloxi River Estates community were closed from high water.

Rivers are expected to continue rising over the next few days following this weekend’s heavy rain. The Biloxi River near Lyman will crest Monday morning at major flood stage near 19.5 feet. The Wolf River will crest Tuesday morning at 13.5 feet.

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