The Pearl Proves Costly

Tamed years ago by the building of Ross Barnett Dam and Reservoir four miles north of Jackson, Miss., the Pearl River has been a placid, peaceful stream. But last week unwary residents along its banks scrambled to get out of the way of its onrushing water. In some of Jackson's finest neighborhoods, owners of $100,000 to $200,000 homes frantically heaved furniture and other possessions onto their rooftops as the river spilled 25 ft. over flood stage and lapped at the eaves. Residents in boats actually had to look down at nearly submerged street signs to know where they were. As 17,000 people fled, parts of Jackson's downtown business area were inundated. Mayor Dale Danks estimated damage at up to $500 million.

The cause of the worst flood in the history of Mississippi's capital city was a series of torrential rains (19 in.) during the week before Easter. The runoff water threatened to burst the Barnett Dam, forcing the Army Corps of Engineers to make a hard choice: 1) it could restrain the flow, gambling that the dam would hold, but risking a catastrophe if it did not; 2) it could ease pressure by releasing controlled amounts of water, pushing the Pearl over its levees and into Jackson. It chose the second.

There was serious flooding too in Alabama, where the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers similarly rose under the impact of the rainstorms, but fewer people were endangered. Also hard hit by springtime flooding were parts of Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota. Fortunately, there was little loss of life. Though saddened by the destruction, a Jackson couple were philosophical as they waded up to their waists in the den of their home. "These are just material possessions," said Elsie Defore to her husband. "We still have each other."

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