Mississippi
Mississippi River flood: Map shows where roads could be closed “for days”
A prolonged and dangerous flood event is unfolding along the Mississippi River, where heavy rain that fell this month across the Ohio and Mississippi river basins have pushed the waterway to critical levels, prompting road closures, emergency preparations and warnings to residents.
Why It Matters
The Mississippi River is a critical transportation route for agricultural and industrial goods, and high water levels are affecting river navigation and barge movement.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski reported that “some of the ports along the river below St. Louis may be closed due to high water,” and that tugboats will have to move with reduced loads because of increased flow speed and reduced bridge clearance.
Beyond economic concerns, tens of thousands of residents in unprotected lowlands are at risk of prolonged inundation. Levees are being tested across multiple states.
AccuWeather
What To Know
Communities in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana are bracing for flooding expected to persist throughout the month. In Vicksburg, Mississippi, the river is projected to crest at 48 feet around April 21, according to forecasts. Farther south in Natchez, Mississippi, peak flood levels may not occur until April 22, with recovery efforts likely continuing into next month. Officials in several counties have begun closing roads and building temporary flood walls to protect homes and businesses.
“We are going to have numerous streets and roads close, including Highway 465 that runs between Highway 61 North and the Eagle Lake community,” Warren County Emergency Management Agency Director John Elfer told Jackson, Mississippi, news station WLBT.
In some of the hardest-hit areas, road closures could last “for days,” AccuWeather reported.
“When we close streets and roads, not only is it illegal but it’s dangerous for folks and motorists to bypass those barricades,” Elfer said.
Storms from April 2 to 6 damaged more than 300 homes across Mississippi, injured seven people and left one dead, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
In Greenville, Mississippi, the river is expected to crest at 52.5 feet on April 22. Power outages and business shutdowns are anticipated as water threatens ports and grain terminals. In Natchez, similar threats loom with flooding already making roads like Carthage Point impassable.
According to AccuWeather, “as the lower end of the Ohio crests into this weekend and begins to recede during the following couple of weeks, waters will slowly rise farther downstream.”
Areas from Osceola, Arkansas, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are on alert, with crests not expected until late April and water levels possibly not falling back to normal until mid-May.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Smerbeck told Newsweek: “We still have a long way to go, the lower Ohio Valley is cresting this weekend, so it’s going to take a while to get into the lower Mississippi River.
“I think the weather is going to work out in the flooding’s favor, at least through the weekend. There’s some isolated storms right now, mainly east of the Mississippi and parts of Tennessee and Mississippi, but it’s very light and isolated, so we don’t expect much of a problem from those.
“Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms next weekend could possibly linger into the following week.”
Warren County EMA Director John Elfer told WLBT: “This is not the first time we’ve seen 48 [feet]. We saw 57.2 back in 2011 and that was a big one. We don’t anticipate that this time. Forty-eight is a moderate flood.”
What Happens Next
As the flood wave continues moving south, officials warn that the situation could worsen if additional storms hit the region. While forecasters see a brief period of drying across the Tennessee and Ohio valleys, further rain mid-next week could add to flood risks.
BUFFALO COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) – The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls of a truck that lost control on State HWY 25 on Wabasha Dike Rd. just north of the Beef Slough Boat Landing in the Town of Nelson.
Callers reported the truck lost control and drove into the Mississippi River; the truck was fully submerged, and the driver was out of the vehicle.
Amanuel Bauer of Perry, IA was northbound on State Road 25 when he hit snow / slush on the roadway and lost control of his truck. Bauer crossed over the southbound lane of traffic and went off the southbound shoulder into the Mississippi River.
Bauer was the only person in the vehicle, and refused medical transportation.
Copyright 2025 WEAU. All rights reserved.
“It’s a great win against a great league in the ACC; we wanted to make sure we did our part. I appreciate the fans that showed up and want to give the same message I gave last time. My challenge is to keep supporting these women as they’re playing their hearts out for this university.”
The Bulldog defense was suffocating in the contest, as they held Pitt to 22 percent shooting from the floor, the lowest percentage an opponent has shot this season. The Panthers were also held to just 14 first half points, which tied an opponent low this season. On the offensive side, the Bulldogs turned the ball over eight times, a season low.
McPhaul collected 22 points in 22 minutes of action and shot 8-13 from the floor, including a pair of makes from distance. She also collected four rebounds, two steals and two assists.
“My teammates and coaches have preached that I need to be aggressive, so that’s what I did tonight,” McPhaul said. “My teammates continued to feed me energy, and it carried from player to player.”
Favour Nwaedozi scored double figures for the sixth time this season, as she scored 14 points, alongside seven rebounds. Nwaedozi also rejected a pair of shots and added two assists to her stat line.
Madison Francis collected her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She also collected two steals, two blocks and two assists. Saniyah King collected a season-high eight points and four assists.
The Bulldogs will be back in action this Sunday when they take on the Charlotte 49ers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Visit HailState.com for the latest news and information on women’s basketball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching ‘HailStateWBK’ on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Named after the Native American tribes who originally inhabited the land as early as 8000 BCE, Biloxi was officially established in 1699 by Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville as the first French settlement in the Mississippi Valley. Today, it’s known for its towering casino resorts offering endless entertainment and round-the-clock gambling, but you needn’t be a high roller to enjoy this coastal community. Known as the Seafood Capital of the World in the early 1900s, Biloxi is brimming with fresh-catch restaurants and eager to share its historic schooners and nautical instruments at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Back in town, the renowned Ground Zero Blues Club brings you up close with celebrated musicians, and come October, Biloxi hosts what USA Today calls the number one annual car show in the U.S., Cruisin’ the Coast. So whether you’re there for the slot machines, the shrimp and grits, or the vintage cars, odds are you’ll have a good time.
FRIDAY
Courtesy Coastal Mississippi
CHECK-IN ➞ Mere steps from the beach, the White House Hotel offers a boutique escape away from the flashy high-rise casinos in a stately, white-columned 1890 mansion. Formerly the private home of Walter and Cora White, it evolved over the years into a boarding house and then a full hotel after the tourism boom of the 1920s. Though it holds more than 130 years of history, it doesn’t show its age, with modern decor and amenities, along with an ocean-facing pool. Ongoing renovations and additions will include 49 new rooms with French doors and balconies, as well as a full refresh of the on-site restaurant, Cora’s.
EVENING ➞ Hop onto Beach Boulevard for a quick drive over to dinner at centrally located Catch 110. One of the city’s newest restaurants, this surf-and-turf eatery with a loungey vibe serves dishes such as creamy crab au gratin and elk tenderloin with a blackberry balsamic reduction (and the complimentary cheddar biscuits are a highlight).
Even if slot machines and blackjack tables aren’t your thing, it’s worth at least stepping inside some of the sprawling casinos with their grand atriums. Top spots include Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Hard Rock Biloxi, and Golden Nugget. All three feature live entertainment (including concerts and full theater productions), numerous restaurant and nightlife options, and splashy pools, in addition to hundreds of gaming opportunities.
SATURDAY
MORNING ➞ Fuel up for the day at downtown Greenhouse Biloxi, an artsy, female-owned cafe with an unmissable, pink-painted facade. The homemade sweet-potato biscuit sandwich, stuffed with pimento cheese, ham, and a fried egg, is an excellent breakfast choice; pair it with a specialty sip, such as the Age of Aquarius peanut butter and honey latte or the Biloxi Fog, made with earl grey tea and orange syrup.
Photo by Eddie Robinson
After breakfast, set sail on a Biloxi Shrimping Trip to learn firsthand about the area’s historic industry. The 70-minute cruise is not only instructive, but also interactive, with a trawling demonstration that allows visitors to see or even hold some of the net’s bounty.
Back on dry land, make your way to the architecturally stunning, Frank Gehry–designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum, which showcases the life and art of Biloxi native George Ohr, aka “the Mad Potter.” The prolific ceramic artist’s groundbreaking work largely went unrecognized until well after his death. Admire the iconic, thin folds and twists of Ohr’s unglazed clay vessels and his Burned Babies, salvaged pieces from an 1894 fire that destroyed his studio.
AFTERNOON ➞ Stop for lunch at Shaggy’s, a coastal Mississippi favorite. The oceanfront restaurant offers plenty of patio seating overlooking the beach, so settle in and order the signature royal red shrimp roll (think of it as the Biloxi version of a classic New England lobster roll) or any of the fresh-caught seafood platters.
Courtesy Coastal Mississippi
Next, head back downtown for a bit of afternoon shopping and sightseeing. Pop into Marley’s Music for reasonably priced used records, Cornerstone Boutique for silk dresses and stylish hats, and Vintage Roots for a well-curated selection of antiques, from patterned Pyrex dishes to collectible trinkets. Gallery 782 artist co-op sells locally made art (paintings, pottery, jewelry— you name it) at all price points, making it great for stocking up on gifts. Be sure to check out the small-but-mighty Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum to learn about Biloxi’s celebrations since the early 20th century and marvel at the flamboyantly bejeweled outfits (you can even play dress-up with some of the glittering robes and feathered hats in the back room).
For a pre-dinner drink, Fly Llama Brewing is an ideal choice. Its range of creative beverages will delight all palates, with inventive hard seltzers in flavors like muscadine and pickle, margarita-inspired sours complete with Tajin rims, and nonalcoholic options such as a dry-hopped green tea.
Courtesy Coastal Mississippi
EVENING ➞ Dinner at White Pillars is a real treat. James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Austin Sumrall helms the Southern farm-to-table favorite, crafting one-of-a-kind, flavorful dishes such as Nashville-style hot fried oysters with housemade pickles and Alabama white barbecue sauce, crispy Caesar Brussels sprouts, and wood-grilled Gulf fish with crawfish curry.
Courtesy Coastal Mississippi
Finish the night at Ground Zero Blues Club, the Biloxi outpost of Morgan Freeman’s famous music establishment that showcases local blues acts in a lively setting (plus, they have a full food menu if you’re still feeling snacky). It’s a packed house even on weeknights, so be sure to grab tickets ahead of time.
SUNDAY
MORNING ➞ Beginning around 1975, the U.S. saw an influx of Vietnam War refugees coming into the country, with a large number seeking out the Gulf Coast for its familiar subtropical climate and fishing industry. The flourishing Vietnamese community drew the Nguyen family to Biloxi, where they opened breakfast-and-lunch spot Le Bakery in 1982. Today it’s a local grab-and-go favorite, serving up a wide assortment of fresh-made, fruit-filled pastries and loaded banh mi sandwiches. Grab a raspberry (or guava or chocolate) Danish, then sit at one of the picnic tables for a quick breakfast in the sunshine.
Courtesy Coastal Mississippi
Use your last hour or two in Biloxi to dive deeper into the coast’s shrimping and fishing history at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Three light-filled floors of exhibits include vintage vessels, antique equipment, and an extensive timeline that walks visitors through the local marine history, putting it into context of what was happening around the country and the world.
• • •
DAY TRIPS
Three coastal Mississippi destinations a short drive away
Artsy Enclave
Just across the Biloxi Bay Bridge lies Ocean Springs, a sweet, small town with a creative spirit. Visit the whimsical Walter Anderson Museum of Art, experience creative fine dining at Vestige, and shop for stunning blown glass and pottery at Hillyer House.
Fresh-Air Fun
Twenty miles from Biloxi, Pascagoula offers outdoorsy activities along with a vibrant downtown. Kayak along the Pascagoula River, the largest free-flowing river system in the contiguous U.S., or sip on cocktails at the Hancock rooftop bar.
Quaint Charm
A 45-minute drive down the coastline, Bay St. Louis is a seaside community home to dog-friendly beaches and locally owned shops and restaurants, including beloved antique and flower store the French Potager and Mockingbird Cafe, a brunch favorite.
This article appears in the Fall 2025 issue of Southbound.
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