Mississippians are returning to their homes after one of the worst floods in state history. MPB's Kobee Vance reports the Pearl River in Jackson is expected to settle below flood stage today
In a northeast Jackson neighborhood, Mickey and Anitra Holder are walking through their home, looking at the damage done by floodwaters. After days of flooding, the river has returned to typical water levels in Jackson. The Holders and hundreds of others are returning to their homes to find many of their belongings drenched.
"As I continue to walk in, I didn’t even have on boots. I had on tennis shoes and the water was, like, soaked. And my utility room, there was still water up high in there. I’m just happy that we was able to get our family out and we’re safe."
Like many others, the Holders are trying to figure out what to do next. Hundreds of people are still without power and officials say some homes may not be habitable for months. Malary White is with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. She says it’s too early to say how widespread the damage has been, and there is more flooding expected further south on the Pearl River.
"We are nonstop planning on how we need to react if something like what's happening in Jackson happens in Simpson County, happens in Marion County. So we are prepared, and we continue to do looking ahead planning efforts just in case type scenarios."
Mississippians can self-report damage do their homes by going to MEMA's website.