Dyer County Prepares for Floods
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Dyersburg city officials spent their Monday informing residents in high risk flood areas to be prepared to evacuate at any time in the next two weeks. However, some officials believe it may be much sooner than that. “We should start seeing some flooding, probably late [Tuesday] afternoon, once the river gets to the 22 foot mark,” said 911 Communication Director Mark Grant. On Monday, Grant said the Forked Deer River rose a half of a foot to 15 feet. “That is more than what we were expecting and this is a dynamic situation. It is changing rapidly,” said Grant. According to weather officials, rainfall up north adds to the rising flood waters in West Tennessee. Grant also said the flood levels will depend on how much rain the region gets in the coming days, specifically areas that feed into the Forked Deer River. “With the Mississippi River flooded as it is, there is nowhere for that water to go but out of the banks,” Grant said. That fact has South Town residents like the Deason family nervous. “Scared, ready to leave,” said Kandy Deason. “Well, it is hard. It has not been a year and we are fixing to have this other one,” Doug Deason said. When the river reaches 20 feet Grant said they will begin going door to door to evacuate residents. At 22 feet, Grant said roads like Christie Street will begin to flood. “I know we need to leave, but what can you do when you got nowhere to go,” said South Town resident Martha Jackson. The Red Cross will begin opening shelters on Tuesday or earlier if needed. Officials encourage all residents in Dyer county to be alert and prepared and have a weather radio with you.
