For all the reports of torrential downpours and widespread flooding, Biloxi Police Chief John Miller says roadways in Biloxi have remained passable and without many traffic incidents.
So far.
Flood advisories remain in effect for Biloxi and the surrounding area, with the National Weather Service continuing to forecast numerous showers and thunderstorms that could produce lightning and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
Meantime, police and firefighters remain ready to respond throughout Biloxi with heavy equipment that was prepositioned on the Biloxi peninsula and north of the Bay earlier this week. The weather service also said neither the Tchoutacabouffa near D’Iberville nor the Biloxi River near Wortham were expected to reach flood stage. The Biloxi at Lyman, however, was expected to re-crest two feet about flood level before Saturday morning.
Rainfall has been constant and winds have gusted this afternoon, but flooding was not isolated to a handful of low-lying streets.
“The beauty of it,” Miller said, “is that right now we’re seeing intermittent showers. That means that during the break in the rain the streets have had a chance to drain. We’re seeing some issues, such as at Well’s Ferry, near the river, and we believe that roadway will certainly be impassable tonight, but the residents in that area know they live in a low-lying area and take precautions.”
The water on roadways presented a whole new issue in east Biloxi, where drainage and sewer lines are in the midst of being replaced in a widespread area, covering 55 miles of roadway.
“What we’re asking people to do is be considerate of their neighbor,” said Joel Murrah, project manager for Oscar Renda, the firm overseeing the huge job that has disrupted nearly every street north of the CSX Railway in east Biloxi.
“What we’re seeing happen is people are trying to speed down these neighborhood streets in a construction zone, and they’re creating a wake that could actually send water into people’s homes.”
Murrah said the worse spots in east Biloxi are sections of Lameuse Street, Nichols Drive, and Division Street near Lee Street.
“We’ve brought in extra pumps, and we have extra guys manning those pumps to move water,” Murrah said. “We worked until midnight last night, and we were back in again this morning, and we’ll be on it throughout the weekend.
“But one thing to remember is this: We’re already at sea level in east Biloxi, so the water has no place to go when you have this much rain. If you see a road covered in water, whether it’s in east Biloxi or anyway do not attempt to go down that road.”
See current weather forecast
See real-time, online radar
See a link to river levels
Weekend preview: Football, softball and MMA
Reports of the Great Flood notwithstanding, looking for something fun to do this weekend? Football, softball, and mixed martial arts highlight a list of activities happening in Biloxi.
The Biloxi Indians prepare for their 2016 football season by hosting a jamboree this evening at the Biloxi High stadium beginning at 6. Â The jamboree between Biloxi and Poplarville was originally scheduled to be at Poplarville, but, with soggy conditions in mind, the venue was changed to Biloxi, allowing games to be played on a Biloxi’s quicker-draining synthetic field instead of Poplarville’s natural turf.
The 40th Anniversary Wheelchair Softball World Series runs through Sunday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. It’s daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Â On Saturday, MMA fans can watch the full-contact event, Blood & Sand XX beginning at 7 at the venue.
Meanwhile, at the casinos, Gavin Degraw and Ronnie Milsap perform at the IP, the American rock band Survivor plays at the Hard Rock, and the Commodores, the ’70s and ’80s American funk and soul music group, will be at the Beau Rivage.
Meanwhile, at the casinos, Gavin Degraw and Ronnie Milsap perform at the IP, the American rock band Survivor plays at the Hard Rock, and the Commodores, the ’70s and ’80s American funk and soul music group, will be at the Beau Rivage.
See the complete weekend schedule.
News and notes
Registration #1: Â The 2016 youth football and cheerleading registration wraps up Saturday morning from 9 to noon at the Donal Snyder Community Center. Â Birth certificate and proof of residency are required. Â To see the flyer, click here.
Registration #2:Â Fall swimming lesson registration begins on Monday at the Biloxi Natatorium from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Â Registration must be done in person and the evening lessons begin Tuesday, Sept. 6. Â To see the flyer, click here.
Registration #3: Youngsters can learn the basic skills of football and team sports by participating in the Start Smart Football Program.  Registration begins Monday at 8 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation office.  To see a flyer, click here.
Podcasting:Â Hear the latest on the presumptive CAO, Paul Tisdale, and more in this week’s installment of the City Desk podcast. Tune in by clicking here.
