MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Residents in the South Dyersburg area could be forced to evacuate due to rising water levels in the Forked Deer River.
Mayor John Holden warned residents on Monday morning that the water levels on the North Fork of the Forked Deer River are rising causing flooding in the area.
Holden says residents should take the necessary precautions and prepare for possible evacuations within the next 24 hours.
“Rising flood waters are unpredictable and can create access difficulties,” said Mayor Holden. “Make plans now.”
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The city is also concerned about the approaching frigid temperatures expected this week.
The Dyersburg Street Department is in the process of closing certain roads in South Dyersburg including Atkins Street, Forshee Street and Wilson Drive.
Mayor Holden is urging residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to remain alert and informed about the changing weather.
An evacuation has not been issued at this time, but residents should be prepared if circumstances change in the near future, the mayor said.
Many residents in Dyersburg are worried about what this flood may do for their neighborhoods and businesses on South Main Street.
“It’s been chaotic for everybody. You know everybody up through Kentucky and places like that they flooding real bad so we gonna get all that too,” said resident Marvin Lowrance.
WREG was told the North Fork of the Forked Deer River is expecting crest Wednesday morning at 26.3 feet, and it will possibly stay at that level for two to three days before it starts to fall.
“2010, 2011, back to back, almost the same day a year apart,” City of Dyersburg Recorder Scott Ball. “In 2010, it was the most historic flood we’ve ever had here all this was underwater.”
“It got over five feet deep in my shop and that’s when it got all the houses and it was really devastating back then,” said Willis Electric, Heating, and Air Dyersburg Owner Johnny Willis.
For emergency updates, sign up for the City of Dyersburg Community Alert System by texting the Dyersburg zip code, 38024, to 888777. Enroll to receive alerts about emergency situations.
On Saturday afternoon, severe storms through the Mid-South caused a levee in the Obion River in Rives, Tenn. to fail, resulting in rapid flooding in the surrounding areas just north of Dyer County.
Multiple nearby counties sent emergency service members and equipment to rescue potential flood victims.
