Mississippi flooding
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said there are more than 4,800 people displaced in Mississippi due to flooding, with more than 2,000 of them in Vicksburg and surrounding areas in Warren County. MEMA Spokesman Jeff Rent said more than 6,000 people in Mississippi could be displaced before the flood is over.
Section:Picture story
Judith Stampley, 71, talks about her flooded home as she stands in her front yard in Vicksburg, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Dave Martin Associated Press
Some of the worst flooding in Mississippi has been in the Vicksburg area, where people have been living in shelters for nearly two weeks. It's anyone's guess when they'll be able to return to what's left of their homes. The river is expected to crest there Thursday, but the governor said it could take until late June for water to retreat in certain places.
Associated Press
Fireman Donald Carter manuevers past flooded homes in Vicksburg, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Dave Martin Associated Press
Flood victim James Phenix sits outside a Red Cross shelter in Vicksburg, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Rising floodwaters from the Mississippi river forced him from his home a week ago.
Dave Martin Associated Press
Barge traffic on the river had resumed after the Coast Guard closed a 15-mile stretch at Natchez, Miss. for much of Tuesday, blocking vessels heading toward the Gulf of Mexico and others trying to return north after dropping off their freight. Such interruptions could cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars for each day the barges are idled, as the toll from the weeks of flooding from Arkansas to Louisiana continues to mount.
Associated Press
Sandbags are seen atop a flood wall made of Hesco baskets near the Isle of Capris Riverboat Casino along the flooding Mississippi River in Natchez, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Gerald Herbert Associated Press
People walk along a giant flood wall made of Hesco baskets which was erected by property owners to hold back rising floodwaters from the Mississippi River in the historic Under The Hill section of Natchez, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Gerald Herbert Associated Press
In Vidalia, La., across the river from Natchez, Carla Jenkins was near tears as she watched the first tows and barges move north after the reopening. "The water from the wakes just keeps coming into our buildings. We're going to have a lot more damage," said Jenkins, who owns Vidalia Dock and Storage.
Associated Press
Flood water from the Mississippi River that breached a wall of Hesco baskets is pumped out of the grounds of the Vidalia Convention Center in Vidalia, La., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Gerald Herbert Associated Press
Workers stand atop a wall of Hesco baskets that rings the Vidalia Convention Center, as floodwater from the Mississippi River is seen surrounding a similarly fortified Riverside Medical Center in Vidalia, La., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Gerald Herbert Associated Press
Officials are warning locals to be mindful of wildlife movement as waters from the Old River Control Structure and the Morganza Spillway push them out of their normal habitats.
Associated Press
Deer feed in a field near a partially-flooded oil derrick in Concordia Parish, La., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Tyler Clark stands with his dog Buster near caution tape blocking access to an area of high water on the banks of the Atchafalaya River outside of the levee protection area in Simmesport, La., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Debris floats near a partially-flooded building on the banks of the Atchafalaya River outside of the levee protection area in Simmesport, La., Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Patrick Semansky Associated Press
Michael “Rodeo” Rhodes looks over the 8-foot levee surrounding Sara Hines home in Carter, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The house, built in 1905 survived the historic flood of 1927, but is facing a sterner task of possibly having standing water surrounding it for a longer time. Rhodes is fearful the temporary levee might become too floodwater saturated and then become compromised.
Rogelio V. Solis Associated Press
Ed Jordan walks towards his family’s general store in Carter, Miss., Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The store, which survived the historic 1927 Mississippi Delta flood, has about a foot of water in parts of the store, but is already forcing the wooden floor planks to buckle.
Rogelio V. Solis Associated Press