This coverage of the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, is available to all readers. Sign up for a subscription to support local journalism.
Here are the latest updates in Jackson’s ongoing water crisis. Check back for more updates. And get the latest updates by downloading our mobile app.
Jackson Public Schools will remain virtual through Monday
Jackson Public Schools announced Wednesday night that all schools will continue virtual learning through the end of this week and at least until Monday as the city of Jackson is experiencing a water system failure.
Here is the complete text of the notice posted on Jackson Public Schools website Wednesday night:
The city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi are collaborating to resolve the water shortage that is plaguing schools, residents and businesses throughout the city. President Joe Biden approved Mississippi’s emergency declaration on Tuesday, August 30 and ordered federal assistance to supplement the state’s response to the water crisis. While progress is being made toward resolving this massive challenge, the overwhelming majority of our schools still have low or no water pressure. Additionally, we have several schools whose air conditioning system depends on water to run effectively. As a result, we will continue virtual learning for the remainder of the week from Thursday, September 1, – Friday, September 2. We will also evaluate the water conditions of our buildings on September 4-5 to determine if it is safe to return to in-person learning on Tuesday, September 6.
Central Office staff are to report to work tomorrow during their regular schedule. If there is low water pressure, work will be shifted to other locations with suitable water pressure.
Breakfast and lunch times and locations will be announced soon.
In Athletics, the following football games will continue as scheduled:Thursday, September 1, Hazlehurst vs. Wingfield at South Jackson Field, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Friday, September 2, Port Gibson vs. Jim Hill at North Jackson Field, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Friday, September 2, South Jones vs. Forest Hill at South Jackson Field, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Portable restrooms will be on-site at these games for restroom breaks.
Due to the lack of water at the facility and the large crowd anticipated, we had to temporarily cancel the “Graduation Classic” football game at the MS Veterans Memorial Stadium for Saturday, September 3. The games include Murrah vs. Callaway and Provine vs. Lanier high schools. We are working to reschedule the game at another location and anticipate an announcement forthcoming by tomorrow.
While we are sensitive to the disruption this entire week has been and continues to be for our scholars, staff, and families, we feel that these decisions are in the best interest of everyone’s health and safety.
We also want to remind everyone that the Warmline, 601-713-4358, is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily and is specifically dedicated to assist families who are overwhelmed due to the challenges of virtual learning and water outage stressors.
President Biden, VP Harris call Mayor Lumumba to express federal support
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he had a “very encouraging” calls with both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding federal support during the ongoing water crisis. Lumumba said the president stated FEMA will supporting MEMA immediately.
“They assured me their support was going to be demonstrated through long-range and long-term efforts through the EPA,” he said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre discussed the water crisis at the beginning of Wednesday’s White House press briefing echoing the comments Biden made to Lumumba.
“The Environmental Protection Agency is deploying a subject matter expert to support the emergency assessment of the Jackson water treatment plants and is working to expedite delivery of equipment needed to repair Jackson’s water treatment plant,” she said.
Jackson water distribution sites for Wednesday
The City of Jackson will distribute cases of bottled water to residents in need today at three Jackson fire stations. All distributions begin at 2 p.m. and will resume until supplies run out. There is a limit of one case of water per vehicle.
All distribution sites open at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the following sites in Jackson.
- Fire Station 1 (Headquarters) 555 S. West St.
- Fire Station 7, 4265 N. State St.
- Fire Station 12, 2435 McFadden Rd.
- Non-potable water is also available at theMetroCenter at 3645 Highway 80. Residents are asked to bring a container to store the water.
- We will keep the media advised of any new developments on water distribution. The City of Jackson remains under a boil water notice.
School closures announced in Jackson area
The city of Jackson has indicated the water shortage will continue throughout the city for a few days. In addition to the water shortage, several schools’ air conditioning systems depend on water to run effectively.
As a result, the Jackson Public Schools are continuing virtual learning on Wednesday and will continue to evaluate the water conditions every day to determine when it is safe to return to in-person learning.
“While we understand that the next few days will be a major inconvenience for many of our working families, we feel that these decisions are in the best interest of our scholars, staff and families,” reads a statement from the Jackson Public Schools. “We also want to remind everyone that the Warmline, 601-713-4358, is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily and is specifically dedicated to assist families who are overwhelmed due to the challenges of virtual learning and water outage stressors.”
See a list of closings and postponements related to Jackson’s ongoing water crisis here.
Biden declares emergency for Jackson water crisis
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced late Tuesday night that President Joe Biden had approved an emergency declaration for the Jackson water crisis.
Biden’s emergency declaration will scramble federal resources to assist local and state officials. Emergency protective measures, the White House said, will be provided at 75% federal funding for a period of 90 days.
Jackson State football, Deion Sanders leave campus before FAMU game, city of Greenville offers support
The emergency has changed the way JSU coach Deion Sanders has had to prepare for the Tigers’ game against Florida A&M University on Sunday (2 p.m. CT) in Miami. The team is in the process of moving into hotels and finding a practice facility.
Other area football teams have not been affected by the water crisis.
Late Tuesday, Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons invited Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders, his coaching staff and players to stay in the Delta city.
Simmons said area business leaders and other community stakeholders agreed to provide food and housing assistance to the team. The city also will provide a practice field, particularly important as the Tigers prepare for Sunday’s game against FAMU at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The impact on Jackson businesses
Business owners in Jackson are at a breaking point as the State of Mississippi has announced a state of emergency with the embattled Jackson water system. Many are wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Jackson as there has been no hint from local or state leaders as to how long residents and businesses will be under a boil water notice.
“This isn’t a new thing. It has been going on for me for like 20 years. Everybody is acting like this is a new situation. It’s not. It’s a ridiculous situation that should have been addressed 20 years ago,” said Derek Emerson, who owns Walker’s Drive-in in Jackson.
Jackson mayor Lumumba welcomes state help while Gov. Reeves plans his own path
When Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Monday night for the city of Jackson to address the capital city’s failing water system, Mayor Chokwe Lumumba was noticeably absent from the news conference.
Minutes before, Lumumba issued a separate state of emergency, declaring a water system emergency as water pressure issues are resulting in low or no water pressure for many Jackson customers.
Both men were in meetings with state health department and emergency management leaders, but neither mentioned working with each other to combat the city’s ongoing water woes.
President Joe Biden briefed on Jackson water crisis
President Biden has been briefed on the Jackson water crisis and flooding, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who shared a thread on Twitter about the situation Tuesday morning.
“We are closely monitoring the floods in Mississippi, and the @POTUS,” the Tweets state, “has been briefed. At his direction, we have been in regular contact with state and local officials, including Mayor Lumumba, and made clear that the Federal Government stands ready to offer assistance.
“The city of Jackson is using over $20 million in American Rescue Plan to address water and sewer infrastructure needs. We have also made about $75 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding available this year to provide clean and safe water across the state of Mississippi.
“We will continue to partner closely with state and local officials to support the people of Mississippi, and stand ready to assist further as soon as we receive an official request from the state.
“FEMA is working closely with the state officials to identify needs, and the EPA is coordinating with industry partners to expedite delivery of critical treatment equipment for emergency repairs at the City of Jackson water treatment facilities.”
Jackson Water CrisisA look back at the ongoing issue with water in Mississippi’s capitol city
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba to hold 2 p.m. press conference
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday on the front steps of City Hall at 219 S. President St., Jackson, to address Jackson’s ongoing water crisis, the city announced earlier today.
Lumumba will discuss the status of the city’s water system and provide updates on city events and initiatives, city officials said.
The press conference comes a day after Lumumba and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared separate states of emergency over the failure of Jackson’s water system. Reeves is mobilizing the National Guard to distribute potable and non-potable water to Jackson residents.
Jackson Public Works Director Marlin King steps down
Also, Tuesday morning multiple media outlets are reporting that Jackson Public Works Director Marlin King has stepped down and been reassigned.
WLBT News of Jackson reported that King, who was confirmed by the city council a year ago, said he made the decision after speaking with Lumumba.
“He asked me to come in and identify some issues,” WLBT reported King as saying. “I’ve identified them and he’s now going to bring in someone who can work through them.”
King told WLBT that the issues “include employee mismanagement, a poor work environment, and vendors going unpaid.”
Where to get drinking water, non-potable water in Jackson
Also, Tuesday morning the City of Jackson announced the city will hold a mass distribution of water for residents, separate from a state-sponsored water distribution being handled by the Mississippi National Guard.
“The City of Jackson has brought in tankers to distribute non-potable water to residents in need. Residents are asked to bring a container – such as a garbage can or cooler – to store the water. The tankers are located at Forest Hill High School at 2607 Raymond Road and at the MetroCenter at 3645 Highway 80,” the city announced.
“Non-potable water is not of drinking quality, but may still be used for other purposes, such as flushing toilets, washing clothes and cleaning.
“We will update residents on additional water distribution sites as soon as we have new information. “
