more storms

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 4, 2016

COLE

As more storms head to county, EMA prepared

By Rupert Howell
Thursday as a news release was coming through from the FEMA/MEMA and the Mississippi Governor’s office, Panola County’s Emergency Management Agency, Sheriff’s Office and Road Department and others were looking to the sky for expecting wind, rain and possibly hail or a tornado as Panola was classified as an “Enhanced Risk,” county for severe weather.
FEMA has just amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms that befell this area March 9, flooding many Delta Counties including the Delta’s portion of Panola on its westerly boundary. That disaster followed tornadoes and floods in December that destroyed several homes and buildings with wind and more with flood waters and also earned disaster status.
With the storm expected Thursday afternoon, (after printed edition deadline) Cole said, “We’re well versed with this. We don’t have to go and crank our chainsaws and generators to see if they will run. We’ve gotten to use them a lot lately.”
Regardless of what Thursday’s storm brought (or bring from this point), Cole said, “We shouldn’t get as much (rain as we got March 9),” but added, “We can’t take as much.”
He noted water had gone over Arkabutla’s emergency spillway, “ a little” Wednesday keeping the Coldwater River full. Bobo Bayou/Ditch is also backed up and Rains Tuesday night and Wednesday morning put water in the Tallahatchie and Yocona Rivers which are cut off upstream at Sardis and Enid Lakes. Also the ground is also saturated.
“We hope to miss the worst of it but if not we will respond accordingly,” he said.
Cole said measures taken include monitoring water levels with different connections of volunteers and acquaintances in flood prone areas, pre-filled sand bags on the ready in Marks and equipment placed and ready to move if needed.
Cole said an announcement should be made early next week for where those suffering damage from the previous disaster can seek assistance noting damage in Panola was on the western edge close to Quitman County where many more losses were suffered.

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