Memphis Mass Evacuation

May 10 2011           Jump To Discussion

NASHVILLE – Thousands are evacuated from their homes as the Mississippi river continues to spill over its edges, flooding everything in sight.

For weeks on end the Mississippi has been rising because of relentless rain, resulting in massive flooding across 8 states.

The latest area of the South to see the mighty Mississippi overtake their town is Memphis, Tennessee, home to late performer “The King, Elvis Presley”.

1,300 homes are vacant, especially in the lowlands, as occupants were forced to evacuate to higher grounds.

Already the Mississippi has risen higher than previous records back in 1927 and 1937.  Governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam has been told by experts that the waters of the mighty river will possibly rise to over 48 feet.

That’s 6 feet more than the highest level Super Flood in 1937 when the waters rose just over 42 feet.

Patrick O’Daniel, author of “Memphis and the Super Flood of 1937″ said that from April 25 through May 3, the National Weather Service reported 11.85 inches of rain at Memphis International Airport. “That’s exactly what happened in 1937,” O’Daniel said.

Experts however are cautiously optimistic that the 2011 flooding won’t turn into the disaster of 1937 because vast improvements made over the years to flood works will prevent a catastrophe from unfolding.

After the 1937 mass flooding that lead to 385 lives being lost and another 8,000 people had to be hospitalized, 800 with pneumonia, the U.S.federal government allocated $9 million for flood control at Memphis. It provided levees, floodways and bank protection.

“We’re better able to prepare ourselves, get information out about what hazards are posed, and (able) to get people out,” O’Daniel said.

It’s the areas of the Wolf River, Loosahatchie River, Nonconnah Creek and Big Creek  that pose the most danger of spilling over their banks and into neighborhoods.

 

Share This:

---

What's Your Opinion?

You must be logged in to post a comment.

MORE NEWS:

---

French Premier Causes Arabs ‘Penis’ Problem

PARIS – As is common practice when a new president takes office, the elect brings along a new staff, including a new vice-president or premier. Such was also the case with France’s recent election >> Full story

---

Dead Man Rises From Coffin

CAIRO – A 28-year-old waiter in southern Egypt who was declared dead, turns his own funeral into a celebration when he wakes up during the burial preparations. Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi was pronounced >> Full story

---

Parakeet Tells Cops Where He Lives

TOKYO – A pet parakeet was returned to its owner Wednesday after the lost bird told police its home address near Tokyo. The male bird had escaped early Sunday morning from its owner’s home in the >> Full story

---

11 Year Old Destroys 30 MacBooks

MECHANICSBURG – An eleven year old boy placed his school in financial difficulty when he peed on 30 Apple MacBooks. The boy who attends Upper Allen Elementary School in Mechanicsburg, >> Full story

---

Zookeeper Saves Monkey By Licking Its …

BEIJING – A rare monkey at the Wuhan Zoo in China owes its life to a ‘giving’ zookeeper who went over and above his job description to save the tiny critter from certain death. When Zhang >> Full story

---