Heavy rains moving across Southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi have led to significant flooding, road closures and even rescues as rivers spill over into roadways and homes.
According to the Washington Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the following roads remained closed Saturday after 6 to 8 inches of rain fell overnight across the parish:
1. Hwy 21 N (South of Prison Rd)
2. Hwy 21 N (North Dollar Store Angie)
3. Sawmill @ Hwy 438
4. Hwy 436 West of Dollar Rd
5. Hwy 1071
6. Hwy 436 @ Fostertown Rd
7. HH Williams Rd
8. Military Rd
9. Rev Bennett Rd
10. TC Brumfield Rd @ Buford Creel Rd
11. Lonnie Peters Rd @ Jerry Moses Rd
12. E Old Columbia Rd
13. Ray Stogner Rd
14. Henry Kennedy Rd
15. Harvey Rd @ Bateman Rd
16. Hayes Creek Rd
17. Forrest Duncan Rd (Washed out)
18. Seal Rd W of Hwy 21 N
19. Ben’s Ford Rd
20. Harvey Rd @ Bethel Church of Christ
21. Lawrence Creek Rd @ CM Magee Rd
22. James Creel Rd
23. Hwy 440 @ Vernon School Rd
24. Hwy 440 (between Crystal Springs Rd and Issac Watson Rd)
25. Hwy 1072 @ Jenkins Rd #2
26. Lee Rd (Hwy 439 end)
27. Hwy 436 W of J Warren Rd
28. Fairgrounds Rd @ Hwy 25
29. John D Wood Rd
30. Hwy 450 @ N Yates Rd
31. Hwy 439 (1 mile from Ben’s Ford Church)
32. Hwy 430 North of Old Columbia Rd
33. Sie Jenkins Rd
34. C O Crockett Rd
35. Crain’s Creek Rd
36. Cleve Kennedy Rd
37. Perry Erwin Rd
38. Hwy 1072 @ Tullos Rd
39. Frank Dillon Rd
40. Choctaw Rd Past Dump
41. Hwy 10 @ Bateman St
42. C E Stafford Rd
43. Pittman Rd (Culverts Washing Out)
44. WO Turnage Rd
A state of emergency due to flash flooding was declared for Washington Parish Saturday night, extending until waters recede.
"Turn around and do not attempt to cross flooded roadways. Remember to be especially cautious traveling at night when visibility is lower and flood dangers are harder to recognize," Washington Parish officials said.
Officials said that multiple homes in the Angie and Varnado area are flooded, most taking in 1 foot of water. One home was confirmed to have flooded with 4 feet of water.
On Saturday evening, Washington Parish President Richard Thomas released a statement urging residents to be safe and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary:
"I, Parish President Thomas, would like to remind citizens to remain vigilant as the parish is expected to receive several more rounds of thunderstorms well into the evening and tomorrow morning.
Rivers and small creeks are expected to continue to rise overnight. Due to the intense and wide nature of the storms, the water levels are fluctuating which can cover any road at a moment’s notice. My emergency preparedness office is continuing to monitor the weather and will post updates as they are received from the National Weather Service.
At present, there are numerous parish and state highways that have water flowing over them. With the forecast for additional rain bands, I urge all citizens to refrain from traveling on roadways unless absolutely necessary, especially at night when lower visibility adds to the existing hazardous conditions."
As more rain moves through the area, some significant flooding is underway in Poplarville to Hillsdale, Mississippi along the Wolf River. The river has caused extensive flooding around the Hillsdale area with water covering I-59 in both directions. Flood waters have washed out bridges and roads, derailing 20 trains cars along the rail line.
Pearl River County Emergency Managers reported water rescues this morning. If you are trying to get to The University of Southern Mississippi for move out day, you will encounter significant delays trying to get to Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
According to the Pearl River County Sheriff's Department, the following roads are closed due to flooding, plus the derailment.
- Glover Road
- Sam Smith Road
- Whitesand Road
- Beach Road
- Oak Hill Road
- County Farm Road
- Bob Pittman Road
- Highway 26 at Gator Creek
- Highway 11 at H Burge Road
- Floyd Ladner at Red Creek
- Homer Ladner Road
"If you live in these areas use caution and use alternate routes if possible. The bridges on these roads are flooded and some of the roads are washing out also," County officials said.
More rounds of heavy rain fell late Saturday night. A Flash Flood Watch continued through Sunday afternoon for an additional 2-4 inches of rain possible. Rain is forecast to taper off around lunchtime Sunday as a front pushes east and allows the area to dry out starting Sunday evening.
Stay tuned to WWL-TV and our online sources for updates throughout the day.