Marty Pope, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson confirmed that the agency’s prediction for the Pearl River crest is at 35.5 feet by Monday morning, well below the 36 or more that had been anticipated just 24 hours ago.
The current reading of the Pearl River is 35.12, but there is some expected creep up that would take it to 35.5.
“It could be less than 35.5,” Pope said. “But there are some other factors that we are looking at.”
The weather forecast for Sunday calls for scattered showers in the area.
“We think any showers we get today will be scattered in nature, but as long as it is not widespread or not several inches directly over the reservoir, it won’t give us any problem,” Pope said.
All of the streams above the reservoir are falling very rapidly, Pope said. That should make the reservoir drop, and when that does, the river south of the reservoir will begin to drop, maybe even more quickly than originally anticipated.
Pope also said that after talking with emergency management officials in Hinds County, there are some houses that have been impacted that have visible water marks. That could mean there is some cresting already happening.
“I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up too much at this point, but everything seems to be good news right now,” Pope said.
As for the rest of the week, the National Weather Service is keeping an eye on the tropics.
“We are going to have to keep an eye on things over the Labor Day weekend as tropical wave moves up through the Caribbean and toward the Gulf,” Pope said. “There is a lot of uncertainty about how that is going to play, because it is going to be several days or another week before there is a crest toward the lower end of the Pearl River.”
Reservoir has crested
The Ross Barnett Reservoir has crested and all indications are that the Pearl River will crest lower than previously predicted.
“It’s all good news,” reservoir general John Sigman said Sunday morning. “If you didn’t get water in your house yet, maybe you won’t.”
Sigman said the crest at the reservoir will hold at least 24 hours before beginning to fall.
“I have to get water out of the lake,” Sigman said. “We will hold the discharge, but we will not increase the discharge at this time.”
Sigman says he also expects the National Weather Service to adjust its estimate on the Pearl River to crest at 35.5 late tonight or tomorrow, instead of the 36 feet that had been predicted previously.
“It’s actually going to be better than that prediction,” Sigman said. “It doesn’t mean there isn’t a water pileup in the flood plain that’s still got to get here, however.
“So, residents shouldn’t assume that what they see right now is as high as it will get. It could creep up another inch or so.”
The reservoir water level currently stands at 298.5 feet above sea level, which is the highest it has been since 299.5 in 1979.
Sigman said the water level has held for several hours now, which has led to him to be able to say the lake has crested.
“We anticipate that we can reduce the discharge in the near future,” Sigman said. “However, we do have to keep a high discharge for now.”
Jackson public schools adjusts schedules ahead of Jackson flooding Aug. 28
Jackson Public Schools have announced a change of schedule at some public schools Monday and Tuesday due to projected flooding.
Officials have said the Pearl River in Jackson is expected to crest at 36 feet as early as Monday morning, flooding roads, homes and businesses in low lying areas.
Officials have said the same areas affected by a similar flood in 2020 are expected to be affected by this flooding and have asked residents and businesses to evacuate.
Here is the notice posted on the Jackson Public Schools District’s website Saturday night.
JPS Responds to Flood Threat with Adjustments for Schools on August 29-30
JPS Responds to Flood Threat with Adjustments for Schools on August 29-30
August 27, 2022
Due to the threat of flooding from the Pearl River outlined by public officials, scholars who attend McLeod Elementary School will shift to virtual learning on Monday, August 29 and Tuesday, August 30.
Scholars who attend other JPS schools and live in impacted areas (see detailed list below) will have the option to attend school virtually or in-person. Transportation will be provided from Spann Elementary School, located at 1615 Brecon Drive, to those impacted scholars who attend their schools in-person using the following schedules:
| School | Bus Pickup Times | Bus Drop Off Times |
| Casey Elementary | 6:55 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | 2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. |
| McWillie Elementary | 6:45 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | 2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. |
| Obama Elementary | 6:45 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | 2:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
| Wells APAC | 6:45 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | 2:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
| Bailey/Northwest Middle | 6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. |
| Chastain Middle | 7:15 a.m. – 7:25 a.m. | 3:40 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. |
| JTECH | 6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m. | 3:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. |
| Jim Hill High | 7:35 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. |
| Murrah High | 7:05 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | 4:10 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. |
Meals for virtual scholars will be available at Spann Elementary, Chastain Middle and Murrah High schools. Breakfast is served from 8-9 a.m. and lunch will be available from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
We will continue to monitor the rainfall to determine if alternate plans are needed to address flooding in other parts of the city.
Will your area flood? National Weather Service interactive inundation map
