Dam close to failing leads to mandatory evacuation along Tangipahoa River
http://www.wafb.com/story/19417024/dam-failing-leads-to-mandatory-evacuation-along-tangipahoa-river
PIKE COUNTY, MS (WAFB) -
Tangipahoa Parish is calling for a mandatory evacuation of all areas along the Tangipahoa River after officials were notified a dam in southern Mississippi is close to failing.
Officials said Mississippi Emergency Management notified GOHSEP and Tangipahoa Parish Government the dam at Lake Tangipahoa at Percy Quinn State Park is failing. Pike County officials said the dam has not yet failed.
Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess then issued the mandatory evacuation order. Shelter locations are as follows:
Hammond West Side Elementary Montessori School
Hammond Jr. High Magnet School
Natalbany Elementary School
Nesom Middle School
Amite High School
Kentwood High Magnet School
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for southwestern Pike County in southern Mississippi after the emergency management officials determined the dam would probably fail.
Forecasters expect severe flooding downstream along the Tangipahoa River from west of the McComb Airport and Magnolia to Osyka.
The water level is expected to rise nearly eight feet below the dam to six feet at Osyka. The river stage at Osyka is currently 14.8 feet.
The weather service said this is a flash flood emergency for all low-lying areas along the Tangipahoa River, including Osyka.
Curiously, it seems the dam was scheduled for repair in just a month or so, according to this article -
http://enterprise-journal.com/news/article_4bde29a8-b82c-11e1-a862-0019bb2963f4.html
Prayers up!!