By Cain Madden & Megan Fink

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA — Concordia Parish has declared a state of emergency due to flooding caused by consistent rainfall over the last several days.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office is stockpiling sandbags, Homeland Security Director Payne Scott said.

“We have been handing out sandbags,” Scott said. “And we have more if you need them, just call the sheriff’s office.”

The number at the sheriff’s office is 318-336-5231.

The highest precipitation count was in the Frogmore area, which received approximately 8 inches of rain. Scott said the rest of the parish has been in the 6-inch zone.

Rain is expected to continue to fall today, and Scott said the National Weather Service is projecting another 2 inches today.

“If there is a silver lining to the weather, it is that the rain has been coming and going,” he said. “It has not rained really hard for a long period of time.”

Scott said the roads were safe Friday afternoon, except a portion of Louisiana 131 just south of Vidalia. That area was partially under water.

“We are putting out signs to warn people of high water where it’s approaching the road,” he said. “Right now none of them are bad enough to be closed, but they could be hazardous.”

The sheriff’s office closed the lakes to boating traffic.

“When the water is high as it is now, when you get people on the lakes in boats, the wakes are damaging piers,” he said.

The wind has not been a huge factor, Scott said.“Right now our main focus has been the flash flooding,” he said. “But there is always a threat of tornado activity during severe thunderstorms.”

The Mississippi River is forecast to crest Monday at 49 feet on the Natchez gauge, 1 foot above flood stage.

“We’ll have to wait and see what we get up north from this system,” Scott said. “I don’t anticipate any problems from the river, but it is a wait –and-see kind of thing.”

Adams County Emergency Management director Robert Bradford said the flooding in Adams County is not as bad, and the county has not declared a state of emergency.

The National Weather Service expects Adams County to have between 2 and 5 inches more rain over the weekend as the storm system moves through.

Carthage Point Road and Lake Thornburg Road are closed due to flooding, Bradford said, and his office is continuing to monitor the river level.

Bradford said residents should not attempt to drive across flooded roads, and should stay away from the river if possible.

County residents who need assistance because of the flood should contact the Adams County Emergency Management Service at 601-442-7021.