Recent storms have put the levee at the Oktibbeha County Lake dam in “imminent” danger of breaching and flooding 17,500 acres of nearby land, which would force about 250 people to evacuate at least 130 households, all the way to the northeast part of the county and north into Clay County.
The county Emergency Management Agency and board of supervisors issued a warning in a press release this morning, encouraging area residents to evacuate to higher ground.
County Engineer Clyde Pritchard told county officials, law enforcement and reporters this afternoon that the water in the lake rose nine feet in three days, enough that the dam is showing early signs of breaching, and the county currently does not have a way to control the water level.
“I’m not in the business of crying wolf,” Pritchard said. “This is not a drill.”
Portions of County Lake Road, Walter Bell Road, Perkins Drive, Reed Road, Water Well Road, Sun Creek Road and highways 389, 82 and 50 will be closed if the levee breaches.
The county storm shelter at the intersection of Lynn Lane and Industrial Park Road in Starkville is open as a safe room, and First Baptist Church on South Jackson Street will be open as an overnight shelter.
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