VIDALIA — The hole allowing water into the leveed area on the Vidalia Riverfront has been plugged.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said the city was able to plug a hole that was allowing water to flow into the area around the Vidalia Convention Center – which until then had been protected by Hesco bastions – Monday evening.

The hole, which is believed to be an abandoned drainpipe that blew out due to pressure from the floodwaters, was plugged with 2,500-pound sandbags, which were loaded by trac hoe from a barge into the affected area, Copeland said.

The rising waters were stopped before they could reach the inside of the convention center, and pumps are being used to maintain an appropriate amount of water to keep the pressure on the Hesco bastions equalized, Copeland said.

Earlier attempts to drop the sandbags with helicopters were unsuccessful.

Until flood worries wane, The Natchez Democrat will post daily river updates at noon and 5 p.m. Breaking news and other alerts will be posted throughout the day, as available. Also, a live feed of the Natchez river level is constantly updated 24-7 on our home page.

Send flood-related questions or submit flood photographs to newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com.