ROLLLING FORK, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Thousands of Mississippi Delta residents turned out for a flood town hall meeting Wednesday in Rolling Fork.
Cars were parked as far as the eye could see along Highway 61.
The meeting was led by members of the Corps Of Engineers, who are updating residents on the expected impact from the approaching flood.
Kenneth Parrish of the Corp of Engineers explained two scenarios.
The first, which is expected to happen, is a best case scenario.
In that, the Corp expects about a foot of overflow of the backwater levee, which helps protects the Delta, from backflow and flooding of the Yazoo River.
With that there will be flooding of a few homes, with elevations of 96 feet.
There would also be flooding across Highway 61 at Redwood, expected to hit on May 12th.
Other roads could be impacted, blocking access.
If more rain falls, it could lead to a drastic flood.
The worse case scenario would include a breach of that levee which would send floodwaters to 107 feet.
That would cause major flooding of cities like Rolling Fork and Cary.
The levees have been inspected, and Corp officials believe it will hold.
"The Yazoo backwater levee was built in 1978," Parrish said. "Its had water on it not as high as it has now, we think it's solid."
Several farmers who will have farmland impacted by floodwaters were at the meeting.
Ward Clements' farm home has taken water in it in past floods.
"We have to hope the levee holds, and just stick it out," Clements said.
The levees will be closed on Saturday, and will be patrolled by armed National Guard troops.
Officials at the Issaquena County courthouse are preparing to move county records to the second floor as a precaution.
Their building stands at 110 feet.
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