CARRIERE, MS – Local authorities have issued an immediate evacuation order for residents in southern Mississippi following a critical compromise at the Anchor Lake dam on Thursday afternoon.
Flash Flood Emergency Declared
The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a rare Flash Flood Emergency just before 4:00 p.m. Thursday. The high-risk zone directly impacts Poplarville, Picayune, and surrounding areas, putting a combined population of over 51,000 residents at risk.
Officials are urging everyone within the emergency zone to move to higher ground immediately.
Impact of Tropical Storm Arthur
The life-threatening flooding is the result of torrential rainfall brought by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, which has been hammering the Southeast. The region had already been hit by intense rainfall earlier in the day, leaving the ground completely saturated and straining local infrastructure.
Tons of water moving through the compromised dam threaten to inundated low-lying neighborhoods downstream.
Critical Safety Instructions
Emergency management officials have issued the following urgent directives for residents in Pearl River County:
- Evacuate Immediately: If you are in low-lying areas near Anchor Lake, move to high ground now.
- Do Not Drive: Turn around, don’t drown. Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles.
- Avoid Floodwaters: Do not attempt to walk or swim through moving water, as unexpected debris and strong currents pose a severe threat.
The situation remains fluid as emergency crews monitor the structural integrity of the dam.
