Within walking distance from where I am sitting, there are homes underwater. The Pearl River is near its third-highest crest, resulting in areas seeing water that haven’t seen it in over a quarter of a century.
This is not just an isolated event. Several rivers, bayous and creeks all across the state currently are flooding. The South Delta has been hit particularly hard for nearly a year now.
People are hurting.
But as the water rises, does our compassion. Volunteers fill sandbags. First responders help with water rescues. Businesses donate goods and services. Like I have said before, when things get bad, we get good.
Eventually, the water will recede and hundreds of people will face a daunting cleanup. Sheetrock, carpet and ruined memories will have to be stripped from homes and piled into front yards. Insurance (if had) will have to be navigated like rapid floodwater. Finding reputable help will have to be found. Rebuilding and recovery will slowly begin.
It’s overwhelming.
I will share on my social media ways for people to help and I hope people who share needs with me so I can pass them along. We do chainsaws and casseroles in this state. I noticed it after Katrina and numerous tornadoes that before you can crawl out of the rubble, there will be a church van in your front yard full of people with chainsaws and casseroles. They will cut the debris away from your house and they will feed you.
That’s already happening all around Mississippi.
Like I said before, when the water rises, so does our compassion. It’s what we do and that’s what makes Mississippi a special place.