Wednesday, Gov. Phil Bryant issued a State of Emergency for areas affected by the threat of major flooding in counties along the Mississippi River.
According to a release from the governor’s office, the State of Emergency allows local governments to request state assistance with response and recovery.
Also on Wednesday, the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks met in an emergency session to also address concern over the rising waters.
According to release from Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the ascending waters of the Mississippi River are forcing deer and other animals out of their natural habitat.
The commission voted to close the open season for hunting deer along the Mississippi River, the release states. This order also authorizes the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to monitor the situation and adjust closings accordingly, the release states. These areas affected by floodwaters have also been declared as no wake zones.
“During the ’08 and ’11 floods, we saw damage to private property being caused by boating traffic in floodwaters,” Chief of Law Enforcement for the MDWFP said in the release. “We believe a no wake zone declaration will help prevent property damage. We also want to discourage any boating in affected areas other than by people with property in the affected areas retrieving their belongings.”
According to the MDWP release, the Mississippi River is anticipated to reach flood stage as early as Saturday, no later than Sunday. Deer season in the affected areas will remain closed until river levels drop.
MDWFP is increasing its law enforcement presence in these areas and also monitoring the developing situation.
For more information about MDWFP visit www.mdwfp.com, Facebook and Twitter.
For up-to-date information on the event, follow the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and Twitter.