Wednesday, February 19th

Flooded Mississippi residents return to soggy, smelly homes

By ROGELIO V. SOLIS Associated Press

Jeff Sharp tosses floodwater-damaged flooring into a pile as he helps his brother clean up following flooding from the Pearl River in northeast Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Depending on how much the water has receded, authorities in various flooded communities, allowed residents to return to their homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Residents returned to soggy, smelly homes Wednesday to begin cleaning up as floodwaters were receding around Mississippi's capital after days of misery but with more rain on the way.

Nearly 300 homes and businesses were still without power in two counties, and Entergy utility company said it was unclear when all the electricity might be restored.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Wednesday urged people to be cautious as they return to homes and businesses flooded by the Pearl River in and around Jackson. He said drivers should stay off streets that remain covered by water, and people should ensure the electrical systems are safe in buildings that were inundated.

Reeves said people are resilient in a state that has seen natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which left damage on the Gulf Coast and more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) inland.

Mississippi typically sees significant rainfall in the spring. Asked if he is concerned about more flooding with already saturated ground in coming weeks, Reeves said: "Katrina taught us that our responsibility is to plan for the worst, pray for the best and expect somewhere in between."

Standing floodwater from the Pearl River still surrounds a number of mobile homes in the back portion of the Harbor Pines community in Ridgeland, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Some residents are allowed temporary permission to enter their homes in the non-flooded portion of the mobile home community to retrieve clothing and prescriptions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Daniel Colton, left, his wife Ila Colton, center, and their daughter Natasha Colton, recall their hurried departure Thursday afternoon from their now floodwater damaged home in Jackson, Miss., as they prepare start cleanup Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Some people who had been forced out of their homes for days by floodwaters threw open windows and doors to allow carpeting, furniture and floors to begin drying out. Generators hummed as crews worked in one neighborhood.

Ila and Daniel Colton's brick house, which stood in water for as many as five days, was full of wet carpet, furniture and books. The water got so high even lampshades and pictures hanging on walls were wet, and multiple homes in their neighborhood were in similar shape.

"Even though we have flood insurance, we still have a long way to go," said Ila Cotton, back home for the first time since evacuating with only a few items six days earlier.

Nearly 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain has fallen this month in places across Mississippi, sending rivers out of their banks. Jackson set a record with 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) of rain Saturday.

Rain was still falling across a wide area from eastern Texas to South Carolina and flood warnings covered much of the South. The National Weather Service said as much as 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of rain could fall overnight across central Mississippi, causing additional flooding.

Some school systems in east Alabama delayed opening Wednesday because of heavy rains.

During the flooding in central Mississippi, some creeks and areas along the Pearl River were clogged with tree limbs, plastic bottles and other trash and debris. Reeves said his wife, Elee, will organize volunteers to help with a community cleanup.

A Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks lawman, observes the swirling Pearl River floodwaters drain from North Canton Club Circle in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2020. Officials have limited entry to the flooded neighborhoods as they have warned residents about the contamination of the receding waters and the swift currents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Ridgeland Police Cpl. Russell Dukette, drives through the standing floodwater from the Pearl River surrounds a number of mobile homes in the Harbor Pines community in Ridgeland, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. While much of the water in the community receded overnight, there are areas that still have high water. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The strength of the Pearl River current pulled an end table from a residence in northeast Jackson, Miss., and deposited it in the road, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Depending on how much the flooding has receded, authorities in various flooded communities, allowed residents to return to their homes to begin cleanup. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Chris Sharp, a northeast Jackson, Miss., resident who experienced the previous Pearl River flooding of 1979 and 1983, moves quickly in his house to find where and how high the water had accumulated Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

"Look how high the water got in my parent's home," says Natasha Colton, as she presses the fabric on a floodwater-soaked lamp shade in her parent's home in northeast Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. The family said although they were warned about the potential of being flooded out, the waters came so swiftly they could only manage to take some clothes, personal papers and photographs away before the waters entered their home. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A small "Speed Racer" toy covered with residue from Pearl River flooding sits on the floor adjacent to a dryer boosted on blocks to prevent water damage in this Jackson, Miss., home, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Many flood affected residents have started cleanup as some houses have little or no floodwater damage to several feet. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A muddy soaked rug is evidence of the Pearl River flooding this Jackson, Miss., home, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Residents have started cleanup to lessen the danger of mold. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)