Parts of Jackson were without running water Tuesday as flooding exacerbated long-standing problems at one of two water treatment plants. The city of 150,000 had already been put on a month-long boil water notice because the Health Ministry found cloudy water that could cause digestive problems. “They’re making it impossible for us to do business in Jackson, Mississippi,” restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, own the upscale Walker’s Drive-In. He said they spent $300 a day on bottled water last month. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said late Monday he was declaring a state of emergency for Jackson’s water system and issued the proclamation Tuesday. The state will try to help fix problems by hiring contractors to work on the treatment plant, which has been operating at reduced capacity with backup pumps after the main pumps failed “some time ago,” Reeves said. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of delayed maintenance.” Lumumba is a Democrat and was not invited to the Republican governor’s news conference Monday night — another sign of tension between two politicians who are often at odds. Like many cities, Jackson has more problems in its water system than it can afford to fix. Its tax base has eroded in recent decades as the population has declined — a result of the predominantly white exodus to the suburbs that began after public school integration in 1970. The city’s population is now more than 80% black, with about 25% of of its inhabitants living in poverty. Low water pressure left some people unable to shower or flush toilets, and officials said the low pressure caused concern for firefighting. Those who had tap water were told to boil it to kill bacteria that could make them sick. “The water is not safe to drink, and I would say it’s not safe to brush your teeth with,” state health officer Dr. Dan Edney said Monday. Jackson schools held classes online Tuesday and some restaurants were closed. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students, and Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders said the water crisis left his players without air conditioning or ice in their practice facility. In a video one of his sons posted on social media, Sanders — also known as Coach Prime — said he wanted to take players to a hotel to take a shower. “We’re going to find somewhere to practice, to find somewhere that can hold everything that we need and want to be who we want to be, and that’s to dominate,” Sanders said. “The devil is a lie. He’s not going to get us today, baby.” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the federal government is ready to help Mississippi respond to the water crisis. “We are ready and willing to assist further once we receive a formal request from the state,” he told reporters on Air Force One. He said the state has not asked FEMA for help with trucking in drinking water, and declined to say why. “I can’t speak for Mississippi State. You’d have to ask them,” he said. Jean-Pierre said White House officials have been in contact with local officials and the state health department, but he did not have details about calls between President Joe Biden and local or state officials. Reeves said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will begin distributing potable and non-potable water and has activated the National Guard to assist. The problems at the water treatment plant came as the city appeared to largely avoid widespread flooding from the swollen Pearl River from days of heavy rain. One home was flooded Monday, but the mayor said the water didn’t rise as high as expected. Earlier forecasts indicated that about 100 to 150 buildings in the Jackson area were at risk of flooding. The National Weather Service said the Pearl River crested Monday at about 35.4 feet (10.8 meters). This is less than the high flood level at 36 feet (10.97 meters). Parts of Jackson flooded in 2020 after the river rose above that level. Jackson has two water treatment plants, and the largest is located near a reservoir that provides most of the city’s water supply. The reservoir also has a role in flood control. The mayor said the low water pressure could last a few days. “What I liken it to is if you’re drinking out of a styrofoam cup, somebody pokes a hole in the bottom of it, you’re steadily trying to fill it while it’s steadily running out at the bottom,” Lumumba said. Jackson has longstanding problems with its water system. A cold snap in 2021 left a significant number of people without running water after pipes froze. Similar problems occurred again earlier this year, on a smaller scale. Lumumba said last week that repairing Jackson’s water system could cost $200 million. That’s more than double the $75 million the entire state is getting to address water problems as part of a bipartisan infrastructure bill. ——– Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed from Air Force One.
title: “Floods Wash Over The Mississippi Ctv News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-08” author: “Kathleen Acosta”
Parts of Jackson were without running water Tuesday as flooding exacerbated long-standing problems at one of two water treatment plants. The city of 150,000 had already been put on a month-long boil water notice because the Health Ministry found cloudy water that could cause digestive problems. “They’re making it impossible for us to do business in Jackson, Mississippi,” restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, own the upscale Walker’s Drive-In. He said they spent $300 a day on bottled water last month. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said late Monday he was declaring a state of emergency for Jackson’s water system and issued the proclamation Tuesday. The state will try to help fix problems by hiring contractors to work on the treatment plant, which has been operating at reduced capacity with backup pumps after the main pumps failed “some time ago,” Reeves said. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of delayed maintenance.” Lumumba is a Democrat and was not invited to the Republican governor’s news conference Monday night — another sign of tension between two politicians who are often at odds. Like many cities, Jackson has more problems in its water system than it can afford to fix. Its tax base has eroded in recent decades as the population has declined — a result of the predominantly white exodus to the suburbs that began after public school integration in 1970. The city’s population is now more than 80% black, with about 25% of of its inhabitants living in poverty. Low water pressure left some people unable to shower or flush toilets, and officials said the low pressure caused concern for firefighting. Those who had tap water were told to boil it to kill bacteria that could make them sick. “The water is not safe to drink, and I would say it’s not safe to brush your teeth with,” state health officer Dr. Dan Edney said Monday. Jackson schools held classes online Tuesday and some restaurants were closed. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students, and Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders said the water crisis left his players without air conditioning or ice in their practice facility. In a video one of his sons posted on social media, Sanders — also known as Coach Prime — said he wanted to take players to a hotel to take a shower. “We’re going to find somewhere to practice, to find somewhere that can hold everything that we need and want to be who we want to be, and that’s to dominate,” Sanders said. “The devil is a lie. He’s not going to get us today, baby.” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the federal government is ready to help Mississippi respond to the water crisis. “We are ready and willing to assist further once we receive a formal request from the state,” he told reporters on Air Force One. He said the state has not asked FEMA for help with trucking in drinking water, and declined to say why. “I can’t speak for Mississippi State. You’d have to ask them,” he said. Jean-Pierre said White House officials have been in contact with local officials and the state health department, but he did not have details about calls between President Joe Biden and local or state officials. Reeves said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will begin distributing potable and non-potable water and has activated the National Guard to assist. The problems at the water treatment plant came as the city appeared to largely avoid widespread flooding from the swollen Pearl River from days of heavy rain. One home was flooded Monday, but the mayor said the water didn’t rise as high as expected. Earlier forecasts indicated that about 100 to 150 buildings in the Jackson area were at risk of flooding. The National Weather Service said the Pearl River crested Monday at about 35.4 feet (10.8 meters). This is less than the high flood level at 36 feet (10.97 meters). Parts of Jackson flooded in 2020 after the river rose above that level. Jackson has two water treatment plants, and the largest is located near a reservoir that provides most of the city’s water supply. The reservoir also has a role in flood control. The mayor said the low water pressure could last a few days. “What I liken it to is if you’re drinking out of a styrofoam cup, somebody pokes a hole in the bottom of it, you’re steadily trying to fill it while it’s steadily running out at the bottom,” Lumumba said. Jackson has longstanding problems with its water system. A cold snap in 2021 left a significant number of people without running water after pipes froze. Similar problems occurred again earlier this year, on a smaller scale. Lumumba said last week that repairing Jackson’s water system could cost $200 million. That’s more than double the $75 million the entire state is getting to address water problems as part of a bipartisan infrastructure bill. ——– Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed from Air Force One.
title: “Floods Wash Over The Mississippi Ctv News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Brian Howard”
Parts of Jackson were without running water Tuesday as flooding exacerbated long-standing problems at one of two water treatment plants. The city of 150,000 had already been put on a month-long boil water notice because the Health Ministry found cloudy water that could cause digestive problems. “They’re making it impossible for us to do business in Jackson, Mississippi,” restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, own the upscale Walker’s Drive-In. He said they spent $300 a day on bottled water last month. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said late Monday he was declaring a state of emergency for Jackson’s water system and issued the proclamation Tuesday. The state will try to help fix problems by hiring contractors to work on the treatment plant, which has been operating at reduced capacity with backup pumps after the main pumps failed “some time ago,” Reeves said. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of delayed maintenance.” Lumumba is a Democrat and was not invited to the Republican governor’s news conference Monday night — another sign of tension between two politicians who are often at odds. Like many cities, Jackson has more problems in its water system than it can afford to fix. Its tax base has eroded in recent decades as the population has declined — a result of the predominantly white exodus to the suburbs that began after public school integration in 1970. The city’s population is now more than 80% black, with about 25% of of its inhabitants living in poverty. Low water pressure left some people unable to shower or flush toilets, and officials said the low pressure caused concern for firefighting. Those who had tap water were told to boil it to kill bacteria that could make them sick. “The water is not safe to drink, and I would say it’s not safe to brush your teeth with,” state health officer Dr. Dan Edney said Monday. Jackson schools held classes online Tuesday and some restaurants were closed. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students, and Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders said the water crisis left his players without air conditioning or ice in their practice facility. In a video one of his sons posted on social media, Sanders — also known as Coach Prime — said he wanted to take players to a hotel to take a shower. “We’re going to find somewhere to practice, to find somewhere that can hold everything that we need and want to be who we want to be, and that’s to dominate,” Sanders said. “The devil is a lie. He’s not going to get us today, baby.” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the federal government is ready to help Mississippi respond to the water crisis. “We are ready and willing to assist further once we receive a formal request from the state,” he told reporters on Air Force One. He said the state has not asked FEMA for help with trucking in drinking water, and declined to say why. “I can’t speak for Mississippi State. You’d have to ask them,” he said. Jean-Pierre said White House officials have been in contact with local officials and the state health department, but he did not have details about calls between President Joe Biden and local or state officials. Reeves said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will begin distributing potable and non-potable water and has activated the National Guard to assist. The problems at the water treatment plant came as the city appeared to largely avoid widespread flooding from the swollen Pearl River from days of heavy rain. One home was flooded Monday, but the mayor said the water didn’t rise as high as expected. Earlier forecasts indicated that about 100 to 150 buildings in the Jackson area were at risk of flooding. The National Weather Service said the Pearl River crested Monday at about 35.4 feet (10.8 meters). This is less than the high flood level at 36 feet (10.97 meters). Parts of Jackson flooded in 2020 after the river rose above that level. Jackson has two water treatment plants, and the largest is located near a reservoir that provides most of the city’s water supply. The reservoir also has a role in flood control. The mayor said the low water pressure could last a few days. “What I liken it to is if you’re drinking out of a styrofoam cup, somebody pokes a hole in the bottom of it, you’re steadily trying to fill it while it’s steadily running out at the bottom,” Lumumba said. Jackson has longstanding problems with its water system. A cold snap in 2021 left a significant number of people without running water after pipes froze. Similar problems occurred again earlier this year, on a smaller scale. Lumumba said last week that repairing Jackson’s water system could cost $200 million. That’s more than double the $75 million the entire state is getting to address water problems as part of a bipartisan infrastructure bill. ——– Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed from Air Force One.
title: “Floods Wash Over The Mississippi Ctv News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-17” author: “Harold Adkins”
Parts of Jackson were without running water Tuesday as flooding exacerbated long-standing problems at one of two water treatment plants. The city of 150,000 had already been put on a month-long boil water notice because the Health Ministry found cloudy water that could cause digestive problems. “They’re making it impossible for us to do business in Jackson, Mississippi,” restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, own the upscale Walker’s Drive-In. He said they spent $300 a day on bottled water last month. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said late Monday he was declaring a state of emergency for Jackson’s water system and issued the proclamation Tuesday. The state will try to help fix problems by hiring contractors to work on the treatment plant, which has been operating at reduced capacity with backup pumps after the main pumps failed “some time ago,” Reeves said. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of delayed maintenance.” Lumumba is a Democrat and was not invited to the Republican governor’s news conference Monday night — another sign of tension between two politicians who are often at odds. Like many cities, Jackson has more problems in its water system than it can afford to fix. Its tax base has eroded in recent decades as the population has declined — a result of the predominantly white exodus to the suburbs that began after public school integration in 1970. The city’s population is now more than 80% black, with about 25% of of its inhabitants living in poverty. Low water pressure left some people unable to shower or flush toilets, and officials said the low pressure caused concern for firefighting. Those who had tap water were told to boil it to kill bacteria that could make them sick. “The water is not safe to drink, and I would say it’s not safe to brush your teeth with,” state health officer Dr. Dan Edney said Monday. Jackson schools held classes online Tuesday and some restaurants were closed. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students, and Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders said the water crisis left his players without air conditioning or ice in their practice facility. In a video one of his sons posted on social media, Sanders — also known as Coach Prime — said he wanted to take players to a hotel to take a shower. “We’re going to find somewhere to practice, to find somewhere that can hold everything that we need and want to be who we want to be, and that’s to dominate,” Sanders said. “The devil is a lie. He’s not going to get us today, baby.” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the federal government is ready to help Mississippi respond to the water crisis. “We are ready and willing to assist further once we receive a formal request from the state,” he told reporters on Air Force One. He said the state has not asked FEMA for help with trucking in drinking water, and declined to say why. “I can’t speak for Mississippi State. You’d have to ask them,” he said. Jean-Pierre said White House officials have been in contact with local officials and the state health department, but he did not have details about calls between President Joe Biden and local or state officials. Reeves said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will begin distributing potable and non-potable water and has activated the National Guard to assist. The problems at the water treatment plant came as the city appeared to largely avoid widespread flooding from the swollen Pearl River from days of heavy rain. One home was flooded Monday, but the mayor said the water didn’t rise as high as expected. Earlier forecasts indicated that about 100 to 150 buildings in the Jackson area were at risk of flooding. The National Weather Service said the Pearl River crested Monday at about 35.4 feet (10.8 meters). This is less than the high flood level at 36 feet (10.97 meters). Parts of Jackson flooded in 2020 after the river rose above that level. Jackson has two water treatment plants, and the largest is located near a reservoir that provides most of the city’s water supply. The reservoir also has a role in flood control. The mayor said the low water pressure could last a few days. “What I liken it to is if you’re drinking out of a styrofoam cup, somebody pokes a hole in the bottom of it, you’re steadily trying to fill it while it’s steadily running out at the bottom,” Lumumba said. Jackson has longstanding problems with its water system. A cold snap in 2021 left a significant number of people without running water after pipes froze. Similar problems occurred again earlier this year, on a smaller scale. Lumumba said last week that repairing Jackson’s water system could cost $200 million. That’s more than double the $75 million the entire state is getting to address water problems as part of a bipartisan infrastructure bill. ——– Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed from Air Force One.
