How Residents in Vicksburg, Mississippi Saved Their Houses from Flooding

Residents of Vicksburg, Mississippi, recently had to take matters into their own hands when the city experienced severe flooding. With the help of volunteers, they were able to build temporary levees out of sandbags and keep their houses from being completely submerged.

Street signs are slowly swallowed by floodwater.
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This is just one example of how citizens can take action in times of crisis. Here we’ll look at the history of flooding in the area and their efforts to combat the problem. For the people of Vicksburg, flooding is a common problem that needs innovative solutions.

History of Flooding in Vicksburg

Flooding has been a problem in Vicksburg, Mississippi, for many years. The city is situated on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, and the river has a history of changing course and flooding the area. In May of 1927, the river rose to a record level, causing severe damage to the city.

Floodwater surrounds homes in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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More than 50,000 people were forced to evacuate, and many homes and businesses were destroyed. The city recovered from the 1927 flood but was hit again by significant floods in 1937 and 1973. Flooding has become so common in Vicksburg that the city has been nicknamed “The Canyon” because of all the water that flows through it.

Are Anti-Flooding Measures In Place?

Despite the problems caused by flooding, Vicksburg remains a vibrant and thriving community. Its residents have learned to live with the threat of floods as part of their everyday lives. Vicksburg, Mississippi, is located on a high bluff on the east bank of the Mississippi River.

A family saves their possessions from the flood by boat.
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The city is surrounded by levees that protect it from flooding. In addition, Vicksburg has a pumping system that pumps water out of the town when the river level rises. The system is designed to operate automatically and can pump up to 1.5 billion gallons of water daily. As a result, Vicksburg is one of the most flood-resistant cities in the United States.

The Genius of Homemade Levees

Recently the people of Vicksburg, Mississippi, were in desperate need of help. The river had risen to unprecedented levels, and the levees were insufficient to hold back the water. However, the people of Vicksburg refused to give up.

A levee protects a home surrounded by floodwater from the Yazoo River.
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They banded together and built their levees out of sandbags and whatever other materials they could find. These homemade levees saved the day, and eventually, the river receded. The people of Vicksburg showed incredible strength and resilience in facing adversity.

Many People Still Suffer from Flooding

In the spring of 2019, the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was hit by severe storms that caused widespread flooding. The floods damaged homes, businesses, and public infrastructure and forced many residents to evacuate. In the aftermath of the floods, many houses were still without power or running water.

A man fishes in the flooded river by his home.
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Despite the challenges, the people of Vicksburg have worked tirelessly to rebuild their city. Unfortunately, many homes are still at risk of flooding, as the area has not yet recovered from the damage caused by the storms. The risk of flooding is exceptionally high during heavy rains, and the city is working on several mitigation projects to reduce the risk.