North of downtown Vicksburg, off Highway 61 in the Kings Community, across the railroad tracks, there's a flurry of activity on Railroad Aly. Nearby--Jackson Lane is under water.
"Get that dolly, yeah it's unhooked,"
Friends and neighbors are busy helping Volley Williams move out of his home. His brother Melvin is strapping mattresses onto a pick-up truck.
"Yeah, it don't have to be very tight. Just snug. You can do that, it's not going to hurt,"
Volley says he's stressed-out. He remembers the Flood of 2011.
"Was this house flooded? Yes 36 inches in there and I've been here over 30 years and this is the second time I had to move for floods, said Williams.
This time he's leaving a completely renovated home. His neighbor, 72-year old Robert Union, refurbished his house too, but he know's he has to go. His daughter Patricia Sims and his friends are here helping him.
"It was devastating because this is his property and him and his wife been here for the longest until she passed and now you know he's staying here," said Sims.
Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong says they began warning people in the low-lying area of the Kings and Cedars Communities last Wednesday, about the potential for serious flooding. Vicksburg is 43 feet above sea level. The Mississippi River is expected to crest at 52.5 feet by January 15th, and the water is steadily rising now.
"So we were able to get the word out to them.Not only did we tell them, but we gave it to them in writing. Those that weren't home we left a letter on their door," said Armstrong.
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs held the first meeting of the High Water Response Team Committee yesterday morning. They're overseeing flood preps. The Public Works Department has re-routed trucks away from Washington Street, which will be closed heading north. Entergy will cut-off electricity where power lines could come in contract with rising water. Animal Control is relocating about 47 dogs and cats and workers are finishing the flood wall, which is about 112 feet high. Everything in the old Depot Museum has been moved out. Mayor Flaggs.
"I think we'll be prepared as we can be. The only thing missing is the help from God," said Flaggs.
Officials are reminding people it's dangerous walk or drive or through water covered roads. In 2011 one pedestrian drowned. Warren County Sheriffs deputies will use boats to patrol flooded areas.
