10:38 May 18th: There will be bottled water distribution between the hours of 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. free water will be available at The Vicksburg Mall (Pemberton Blvd). There will be a limit of 1-2 cases, the water is being provided to drink and cook with.
If there is a Senior Citizen that is in need of water but is unable to pick it up, please call the numbers below and it will be delivered to them.
Vicksburg Police Dept. (601) 636-2511 (Press 0)
Vicksburg Police Dept. Watch Commander (601) 801-8124
Warren County Sheriff’s Department (601) 636-1761
Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer told News Mississippi that for planning purposes, state and local officials are preparing for the water outage to last for a while.
“I’m reluctant to even say,” said Elfer. “But for planning purposes, we’re planning for 24 hours to four days.”
Elfer said the repairs pack a very difficult circumstance. The break in the main line is located in the floodwaters.
“We’ve got a 36 inch break,” said Elfer. “And we’re having to dike it up to repair it.”
Crews have already started surveying the situation.
City, county, and state authorities are working to secure nursing homes and medical facilities in the area by shuttling in water. Elfer said county crews are capable of assisting city crews by shuttling in water as needed.
News Mississippi will continue to update this story.
Flooding has caused a water main break at the main water plant in the city of Vicksburg, leaving those relying on the city’s without running water.
Officials with the Gas and Water office for the city confirmed that the main line was broken at the city’s main plant due to the risen waters.
All residents have been impacted by the break. Schools are letting out early, and all government buildings have been impacted.
News Mississippi called the Water and Gas office for the city, and this message played:
There has been a major water line break in Vicksburg. At this time, we have no estimate on when the repairs will be completed, however this may be an extended outage.
At 12pm Wednesday, the National Weather Service measured the Mississippi River at Vicksburg at 46.75 feet. Flood stage is 43 feet. The river at Vicksburg is expected to crest by Thursday at 12pm at 48 feet.
The City of Vicksburg reported the break to citizens via Facebook.
