Residents forced to flee as parts of Mississippi Delta flood

PARTS of the Mississippi Delta were flooding yesterday, forcing people to flee their homes while thousands of others were trying to decide whether to stay or go as the river continued to swell.

The sliver of land in north-west Mississippi, home to hardship and bluesman Muddy Waters, is in the crosshairs of the slowly surging river, just like many other areas along the banks of the big river.

“We’re getting our mamma and daddy out,” said Ken Gelston, who helped pack furniture, photos and other belongings into pickup trucks in Greenville.

His parents’ house sits on Eagle Lake, which the Army Corps of Engineers expects to rise significantly.

“We could have five feet of water in there,” Mr Gelston said, nodding at the house. “That’s what they’re telling us.”