NATCHEZ — Emergency officials on both sides of the river are preparing for a near-record flood after the National Weather Service raised its flood forecast for the Mississippi River in Natchez.

The river is expected to crest at 58 feet on March 16 — which would make it the third highest crest on record.

The record crest for the Mississippi River at Natchez is 61.95 feet in 2011, which beat the second highest flood of 58.04 feet in 1937.

In Concordia Parish, officials are using inmate labor to fill sandbags at the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility in Ferriday. As of Monday evening, 4,500 sandbags have been filled with another 7,000 bags ready to be filled when needed, Concordia Parish Police Jury President Jimmy Wilkinson said Monday night.

Concordia Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness said the Town of Vidalia has started making preparations along the Vidalia Riverfront.

A flood barrier has been built across the boat ramp entrance on the south end of the riverfront.

“This is the lowest portion of the Riverwalk by several feet,” Murray said.

The town’s lowest water well on the riverfront, Murray said, is protected with a flood barrier and clay levee that was installed during last year’s flood.

“We plan to inspect it tomorrow to make sure there are no remedial measures that need to be taken (at the well),” Murray said.

Storm drainage on Front Street along the riverfront remains open, but will be closed later this week, Murray said.

The town, Murray said, should not have the same problems it had in 2011 when floodwaters backed up onto the riverfront because the town has since installed sluice gates at the drainage locations and pumps to keep the water off of the riverfront. The gates and pumps were installed using a FEMA grant.

“With (the current) forecast, we are checking and double checking everything where we all feel comfortable,” Murray said. “If the forecast happens to go up, then our plan will change at that time.

Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft said the town met with business leaders on the riverfront to discuss the situation and keep owners updated on the plans.

“We are in constant contact with them to keep them informed,” Craft said.

One of the biggest concerns for the town is seepage water that could have detrimental effects on the town’s underground infrastructure.

Craft said he plans to call a special emergency town meeting this week to discuss flooding and the town’s response with aldermen.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said the county also is making preparations for flooding.

“We are monitoring the situation and are bringing in resources in the event that the flood rises higher,” Bradford said.

Bradford said the county has ordered sandbags and HESCO flood-control baskets in case they are needed for low-lying areas such as Silver Street and the port.

Bradford said the county will start preparing sandbags for the Coast Guard station at the port. The sandbags will be used to keep water out of their building which sits on the river’s edge.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said several low roads, including D.A. Biglane, a section of Silver Street, and Cooper Street, were closed for flooding Monday morning. Grennell said curbside parking on Silver Street is prohibited to allow room for two-way traffic.