Posted on January 4, 2016.
Star Staff Reports
Emergency responders continued making on-site inspections in Memphis and Shelby County neighborhoods Sunday that might be affected by rising water from the Mississippi River.
On Mud Island, high water is near homes on Running River Place, River Landing Drive, Harbor Isle Circle North and Marina Cottage Drive. Additionally, high water is close to an unincorporated area near Frayser along Old Cuba-Benjestown Road and Billion Road.
“We’re closely monitoring these areas along with law enforcement officers and fire department companies. Right now, all main roads are open. Still, people need to be on the lookout. We don’t want anyone trapped by high water,”said Dale Lane, Director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness
The Mississippi River is just a few feet away from Tom Lee Park in downtown Memphis. Greenbelt Park and the nearby boat ramp on Mud Island are closed as well as the boat ramp at Shelby Forest.
“Director Lane and his staff at the Shelby County Emergency Operations Center are using flood forecast maps developed by the University of Memphis during the flood of 2011 to help them predict where water damage might occur. The technology, coupled with the on-site inspections by fire, law enforcement and the Shelby County Office of Preparedness staff, will help us identify potential problems,”said Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.
The Memphis Office of Emergency Management is coordinating the flood response efforts with the Shelby County Office of Preparedness. Memphis Fire Director Gina Sweat is keeping City of Memphis division directors and City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland informed.
