Sunflower County and some of the adjacent areas are currently under a flood warning due to rising levels of water in the Big Sunflower River At Sunflower.
The steady flow of rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours has contributed to and produced flooding conditions throughout the county with more rain in the forecast.
At 8 a.m. Thursday morning the river stage was at 24.0 feet and forecast to continue rising to near 27.5 feet by early Friday afternoon, according to the national weather service in Jackson. The flood stage is 21.0 feet.
The flooding is categorized as minor at present but is forecast to reach the moderate stage. Based on reported information, the river will have varying impacts as it continues to rise. At 25.0 feet, wide spread agricultural and farmland flooding, especially near Jones Bayou, is expected and at 26.0 feet it is expected to flood low-lying streets in the town of Sunflower.
At last report, the national weather service radar indicated that nearly 5 to 8 inches of rain has fallen in some areas along and west of U.S. 49 along with slightly lower levels east of the highway.
Sunflower County Emergency Management Director Ben Grant said he has had some reports of flooding across the county including one business in Ruleville and a home north of Indianola that reportedly had water infiltration.
The city of Indianola Public Works department reported flooding on Bayou Road, Gillespie Street, Sam Lacy Drive and Ethel Waters Drive.
Floodwaters also crossed streets and invaded yards on Virginia Street, Campbell Drive, West Clover Drive and other streets in the Faisonia/Ford Road area.
College Street, just west of Gilmer Park, has been blocked and barricaded due to floodwaters and a portion Main Street between Pershing and Unger streets has been blocked due to overflow from Indian Bayou.
Grant said the county has some sandbags that it is supplying to residents in need and they can be picked up at the county barns. Sandbags are also available at the Indianola Public Works building on U.S. 49 North.
Citizens are cautioned not to travel through flooded areas and be on the lookout for sudden rising waters. At around noon on Thursday, the weather service indicated that most of the rain is moving out of the area but heavy downpours could quickly exacerbate current flood conditions.
