Clay officials on alert for potential flooding from Oktibbeha, Tombigbee
Clay County officials are concerned for the impact a dam breach could have on their residents if the Oktibbeha County Lake dam fails and are advising residents in the area to use caution.
Officials from Oktibbeha County noticed problems with the dam early Tuesday and have warned residents the dam's failure is highly probable.
Separate from the 130 households or addresses in Oktibbeha County in danger if the Oktibbeha County Lake dam fails, 50 structures, approximately 40 of which are residential, could also be impacted in Clay County.
Torrey Williams, the Emergency Management Agency director for Clay County, said if the need for evacuation arises, temporary shelters will open across the county. However, the potential shelter spaces for county residents have not currently been determined, but several potential locations are on stand-by.
“We don't have a specific place tied down,” Williams said. “We basically have just about all of our shelters that we have an agreement with already on standby in case of emergency.”
Alongside offering travel resources for individuals with disabilities who need assistance in the case of an evacuation, the West Point-clay County Animal Shelter is also prepared to care for some animals since the available shelters will not allow pets.
“We will push the information on shelter locations through the media, radio, and according to the action plan, there will be various checkpoints where emergency personnel can direct people where they need to go,” Williams said.
Williams encourages residents to have an evacuation plan, as well as to have their important documents easily accessible. Residents should also closely watch media sources for weather updates and check the West Point Clay County EMA Facebook page.
Residents can also sign up for information releases through CODERED via the city and county websites' resident's page.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said they are working closely with various local agencies to prepare and make sure everyone is ready at any point.
“In the middle of the night that water can come up real fast, and that's when people get trapped,” Scott said. “We are trying to work with all local agencies to make sure we are as prepared as possible.”
Due to the previous rainfall and predications of another three to five inches on Saturday, Williams said the Tombigbee River's water level is
requesting access to it, the Red Cross shelter will be open in Oktibbeha County at the First Baptist Church Outreach Center located at 210 S. Jackson Street.
Unless circumstances change, the shelter will open at 8 p.m.
While pets are not allowed at the Red Cross shelter, the Oktibbeha County Humane Society will board pets for any evacuees from the affected area. This is located at 510 Industrial Park Road in Starkville.
MOVING FORWARD
As county officials wait to see how much rain will impact water levels at the lake, Campanella said the county is continuing to work to siphon off water to relieve pressure on the dam.
Currently, there are three eight-inch pipes and one 10inch pipe using vacuums to divert water from the lake into the emergency spillway that feeds out into Tibbee Creek and surrounding tributaries.
Howard said as the county continues to monitor the status of the levee, the decision to call for mandatory evacuations will be made if and once the landslide reaches the road on the levee.
“This is the trigger portion the engineer is talking about,” Howard said, pointing to the six-foot wide segment of the levee on a monitor at the EMA office. “This is the main concern, if it slides up to this pavement then it's time to make a call.”
Campanella reminded those in the impacted area that since there are no warning sirens, locals will be notified of a mandatory evacuation by emergency personnel driving through the area with lights and sirens continuously engaged.
She then said the county will continue to work closely with MSU Parking and Transit Services to provide transportation for those in need, along with ambulance service by OCH Regional Medical Center for those with medical conditions.
As the situation progresses, Howard said he has received countless calls ranging from those offering assistance and encouragement, such as churches to those wanting answers as to why the situation had gotten to the point that it had with the dam on the brink of total failure.
“There's lots of concern about where do we go from here?” Howard said. “And are we going to continue to keep our fingers crossed or make a concerted effort to make sure safety is paramount and we do what it takes to remedy this situation.”