Thousands Along Mississippi River Face Historic Flooding

Dawn came on Sunday with a steady drizzle as Jackson, Mississippi, braced for the the most severe flooding the area has seen in nearly four decades.

By 7:15 a.m. local time, the Pearl River, which flanks the east side of Jackson and runs near downtown, rose to its third highest level in recorded history — bypassing the prior record of 36.3 feet set by floods in 1902 and 1880. As of Sunday afternoon, the river was at 36.44 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

Murky brown water began creeping into yards and swallowing streets late last week and is expected to affect about 2,500 structures, including 1,000 homes, said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.

On Saturday Reeves declared a state of emergency for the "historic" disaster, urging people to "get out while you can."

With water rising slower than initially projected, the worst is yet to come. The river is expected to crest Monday morning at 37.5 to 38 feet, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.