Mississippi Floods

The next several weeks are critical for residents living in the flood plains surrounding the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The National Weather Service and the Advanced Hydrological Prediction Center predict the month of May to go down in history as a record-breaking flood year. The river is so high in some regions, that records withstanding from 1927 and 1937 are set to be broken. The flood stage for the following six locations are at or near record levels:

• In Memphis, Tennessee, the current flood stage is 46.3 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 48 feet on or around May 11, 2011. The record crest was 48.7 feet on February 21, 1937.
• In Arkansas City, Arkansas, the current flood stage is 47 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 53.5 feet on or around May 16, 2011. The record crest was 59.2 feet on April 21, 1927.
• In Helena, Mississippi, the current flood stage is 53.8 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 56 feet on or around May 12, 2011. The record crest was 60.2 feet on February 21, 1937.
• In Greenville, Mississippi, the current flood stage is 58.1 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 64.5 feet on or around May 17, 2011. The record crest was 65.4 feet on April 21, 1927.
• In Natchez, Mississippi, the current flood stage is 53.9 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 64 feet on or around May 22, 2011. The record crest was 58 feet on February 21, 1937.
• In Vicksburg, Louisiana, the current flood stage is 49 feet. The river is predicted to crest at 57.5 feet on or around May 20, 2011. The record crest was 56.2 feet on May 4, 1927.

The Mississippi is said to be having a 100-year flood. That means the chances of this happening in any given year is rare. A 100-year flood has a 1% statistical chance of occurring in any given year.

Reference: National Weather Service: Jackson, Mississippi