06/17/2026
City of Picayune – Tropical Storm Arthur Update 6/19/26
Current Status and Infrastructure
• Anchor Lake Dam: MDEQ has confirmed that while 6–8 inches of rain fell in the lake area over 24 hours and water levels rose near the top of the dam, there is no imminent threat of collapse. MDEQ successfully utilized siphoning devices to lower the lake level by five feet, and additional equipment is arriving to manage water levels through the weekend.
• Road Conditions: Most city roads are now open. Two areas remain closed due to rising waters: E. Canal at Loftin and Beech at Westchester. Please continue to avoid these areas and respect all barricades.
• Assessment & Cleanup: Our crews are actively assessing damage to roads and property. Public Works is working systematically to clear and address catch basins, ditches, and drainage infrastructure.
• Flood Risks: While the water threatening to flood from the Hobolochitto Creek is currently receding, we are continuing to monitor upcoming weather events.
Reflecting on a Historic Week This week has been an unprecedented weather event for our region. On Tuesday, a tropical moisture system stalled over our city, dumping 6.6 inches of rain in less than six hours. This was followed by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur. Between Tuesday and Thursday, Picayune received a minimum of 20 inches of rain. Given that our soil and drainage infrastructure—including our creeks and basins—was already saturated, this volume of water was extreme, impacting a vast region stretching from Texas through the Florida Panhandle. While no infrastructure system is designed to handle such a massive volume of water all at once, once the rainfall intensity began to subside, our drainage system did an excellent job of processing the water and clearing the streets. It is a credit to our systems and the tireless work of our crews that the infrastructure performed so well under such extreme conditions.
Assistance for Residents and Business Owners Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the flood waters. To ensure we can reach you with information on potential aid and other resources, please register your contact information through our Disaster Recovery Intake Form at https://www.jotform.com/tables/261696480437063. If you cannot access the form, please give us a quick email at [email protected]. If you need to speak to someone, you can call us at City Hall at 601-798-9770. We are actively monitoring for any state, federal, or non-profit recovery assistance. Should any aid programs become available to our residents, we will notify the community immediately.
Stay Connected If you have not already, please sign up immediately for our mass notification system to receive urgent voice, text, or email instructions directly from emergency management:
• Online: https://picayune-ms.myfreealerts.com/
• Text: Send PicayuneMS to 38276
A Message to Our Community We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming offers of assistance and support. Please continue to be patient with our first responders, Public Works employees, and city personnel. A vast majority of these crews have been working around the clock since Tuesday, many with little to no sleep, to keep this city safe.
Thank you for your cooperation, your resilience, and your support of one another during this challenging time.
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CRITICAL WEATHER & FLOODING UPDATE — 4:30 PM 6/18
Following our city's 3:00 PM emergency weather briefing and the latest updates from the National Weather Service (NWS), residents must remain on high alert.
Anchor Lake Dam Flash Flood Emergency
A catastrophic Flash Flood Emergency is in effect for areas near the Anchor Lake Dam.
NWS reported a breach, but there are some reports from local and county emergency officials clarifying that the Anchor Lake Dam is currently in danger of failure. Residents must understand that a total breach remains a distinct possibility for a sudden and violent release of water that could prove to be extremely deadly and devastating to everything in its path.
Because of this severe threat, the National Weather Service is strictly encouraging residents in the vicinity to evacuate and seek higher ground immediately. Fox 8 reports that emergency officials are advising this for anyone between Interstate 59 and Caesar Road. Do not wait for a total failure to happen before you take action. Even though this is in the county, this could affect our city with major flooding.
Extended Flood Warning Issued
The NWS has also issued a fresh Flood Warning in effect until 6:30 PM CDT this evening. * Rainfall Totals: 20+ inches of rain have fallen across our city since Tuesday.
Current Status: Widespread flooding of rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas is actively occurring. While the continuous heavy rainfall has pushed out, existing runoff means water levels remain dangerous.
Hobolochitto Creek Flooding & Staged Assistance
Separate from the critical dam watch upstream, the Hobolochitto Creek is rising rapidly. It is important to note that the current hydrology report is only counting water that is coming down from north of us. Both the East and West forks are expected to crest around 9:00 PM tomorrow (Friday, June 19). Current projections indicate:
West Fork: Expected to crest at 24.5 feet.
East Fork: Expected to crest at a RECORD-BREAKING 22.5 feet.
Our local emergency crews are fully staged and coordinated to assist residents with voluntary evacuations if needed for the Hobolochitto Creek flooding:
WEST SIDE (Westchester, Silk Stalking, and adjacent neighborhoods): Steve Seal, an experienced volunteer rescue coordinator, and his crew are fully staged on the west side and stand completely ready to assist with any needed creek evacuations.
EAST SIDE (Canal Street, Blanks, Loftin, and the 8th Street/Road/Avenue areas): The Fire Department is staged on the east side to manage rescue and evacuation operations for the creek.
Both operations are in constant communication and fully coordinated. High-water rescue equipment—including boats and Humvees—are secured. Additionally, Debristech has provided the city with the use of their amphibious vehicle to assist crews in navigating deep floodwaters if needed.
City Operations & Notifications
Public Works & Sandbags: Public Works crews will reopen for sandbag distribution tomorrow morning. Hours will be from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Mass Notifications: If you have not done so already, please sign up immediately for our new alert system at https://picayune-ms.myfreealerts.com/ or text PicayuneMS to 38276 to receive immediate voice, text, or email instructions directly from emergency management.
A Message to Our Community
We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming offers of assistance and support coming in from all across our community and region. This has been a historic week of weather events for Picayune that are just not the norm.
Please be patient with all of our first responders, Public Works employees, and city personnel. A vast majority of these crews have been deployed around the clock, working without sleep or going home since yesterday morning to keep this city safe.
To report new city road hazards or rising water: Call Central Dispatch at 601-749-5482 or Public Works at 601-798-0031.
For life-threatening emergencies only: Dial 911.
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Important Community Notice: New Mass Notification System is Live as of 1:30 PM
The City of Picayune’s new Mass Notification System is officially up and live today as of 1:30 PM. This new system will now be our primary and fastest tool for getting critical emergency alerts and community updates directly to you.
If you are currently signed up for our older "Notify Me" system, we ask that you please register for this new platform as well. While we will temporarily send information to both systems for now so nobody misses a beat during this severe weather, the new system gives you much more control.
This platform can push messages to you via email, text message, or direct phone call. If you happen to miss an official phone call alert, you can simply call that number back to listen to the message, as long as it is still a live, active alert.
There are three easy ways to sign up right now:
1. Online via the Web Portal
You can customize your notification preferences and contact methods directly through the CivicPlus Resident Portal:
Friendly, easy link: https://picayune-ms.myfreealerts.com/
Direct portal link: https://portal.civicplus.com/MS-Picayune/notifications?tab=alerts
2. Quick Text Opt-In
If you want immediate text alerts on your phone without filling out an online form, simply text PicayuneMS to 38276.
(Note: Future official city text alerts will come from this short code 38276, so it is completely safe to open and click links sent from this number).
3. Download the Mobile App
You can download the public mobile app, MyAlerts, available for free in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, to manage your alerts and receive push notifications directly.
Please take a few moments to register today so we can keep you and your family safely informed.
We will have more information on the weather after we finish our 3 PM meeting today.
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Weather and Traffic Update — 10:55 AM
CRITICAL UPDATE: The National Weather Service has just upgraded our area to a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY. This is the highest and most severe flood alert issued, reserved strictly for life-threatening situations. The NWS indicates that an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain could fall over our area. Because the ground is completely saturated from the previous 10 inches of rainfall, any additional rain will cause immediate, severe water rises.
If you are currently safe, please stay exactly where you are and do not attempt to travel under any circumstances.
Because of this extreme volume of water, we have reports downtown and citywide that require everyone to alter their normal routes:
East Canal Street: A portion of East Canal Street near the Loftin Street area is washed out. This entire section is currently closed off because it remains actively flooded at this spot. Do not attempt to travel here.
West Canal (portion) is completely blocked off at this time.
I-59 at Exit 6 is currently shut down both Northbound and Southbound due to flooding. Please use an alternate route.
MORE ROAD CLOSURES
CLOVER CIRCLE [BLOCKED BOTH ENTRIES]
BETSY DRIVE [BLOCKED BOTH ENTRIES]
MARYDALE
BROOKSDALE
LAURA / CHARLOTTE [CLOSED WITH BARRICADES]
BEECH STREET [RIGHT LANE CLOSED]
NO TRAVEL
MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD
SOUTH MAIN STREET
BRUCE ST
PINEWOOD & FERN
As you can tell, we have reports of roads that are still flooded. While our streets are trying to drain off fairly quickly between bands, these sudden heavy downpours are causing water to collect again rapidly. Anyone traveling today needs to be completely mindful of their own safety, as well as the property of others. Please drive slowly through any remaining water so vehicle wakes do not push water into nearby homes and businesses. Most importantly, if you see water over the roadway, please don’t attempt to drive through it.
The heavy rains will be on and off again for a little while longer, and with the Flash Flood Emergency now in effect, the threat remains critical. Our main focus is monitoring how this runoff affects the Hobolochitto Creek, while our emergency and Public Works crews also remain fully deployed monitoring the remaining flooded portions of the city and assessing our roads.
To report city road hazards: Call Central Dispatch at 601-749-5482 or Public Works at 601-798-0031.
Emergencies: Dial 911.
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Weather Update — 8:35 AM
Conditions have changed very quickly out there. Most roads within the city limits are impassable at this time due to the heavy rainfall and saturation from Tuesday.
We are asking everyone to please stay off the roads unless it is an absolute emergency. If you must be out, please drive slowly and with extreme care. The water is deep enough in places to sweep a vehicle away, and driving fast through flooded areas creates a wake that pushes water directly into nearby homes and businesses.
Our emergency and Public Works crews are out right now doing everything they can to monitor the flooding and handle hazards. Please help them out by staying home and staying safe if you can.
• Emergencies: Dial 911
• To report rising water or road hazards: Call Central Dispatch at 601-749-5482 or Public Works at 601-798-0031.
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URGENT WEATHER UPDATE — June 18, 2026 (7:05 AM)
IMMEDIATE LIFE-SAFETY WARNINGS IN EFFECT
• TORNADO WARNING: A National Weather Service Tornado Warning is in effect for our immediate area until 7:45 AM CDT. Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of your home immediately. Please keep watching local news sources and your NOAA weather radios for real-time tracking.
• FLASH FLOOD WARNING: A Flash Flood Warning is also actively in effect until 10:00 AM CDT. Saturated ground conditions mean that torrential downpours are causing immediate, dangerous flooding on roadways.
CRITICAL ROAD CLOSURES & SAFETY HAZARDS
The following areas are currently NOT PASSABLE. Do not attempt to travel down these roadways where you see barricades and/or flooding:
• S. Beech Street
• Jackson Landing Road
• Bruce Street
• Additional streets will be added to this list as they are reported to emergency personnel.
Other information:
Our Public Works, Fire Department, and Police Department have been out on the streets all night and throughout the early morning monitoring road conditions, checking neighborhood water levels, and handling storm-related hazards.
Update: Crews are currently on-site actively managing and clearing a downed tree in the Loftin St area.
Community Report Request: While conditions are currently stable overall, weather can change rapidly from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you live within the city limits and are experiencing street flooding or a downed tree that our crews have not reached yet, please update us by calling Central Dispatch directly at 601-749-5482 or Public Works at 601-798-0031 so we can route teams effectively.
Weather Status & Outlook
• Other Active Watches: A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8:00 AM this morning. A Flood Watch also remains in active effect through Friday morning.
• Radar: The system is currently spinning directly over our region. Expect rounds of on-and-off heavy rain to continue through the morning and into the afternoon, with conditions expected to begin tapering off around 3:30 PM today. Because the ground is completely saturated from Tuesday's weather, any heavy downpours will cause immediate runoff.
• Creek Levels: Emergency management continues to closely monitor the levels of Boley Creek, as rising creek levels directly impact and accelerate localized flooding within the city limits.
URGENT PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE
• Stay Home: Residents are strongly urged to stay home and off the roadways today if at all possible to allow emergency crews clear access to monitor and clear hazards.
• Turn Around, Don't Drown: Do not attempt to drive down any streets today if you see water covering the roadway. It is impossible to judge the depth of moving water or the condition of the road underneath.
Operational Reminders for Today
• City Office Closures: As a reminder, all non-essential city personnel are remaining home today. Essential public safety, drainage, and emergency response crews remain fully deployed. Picayune Municipal Court (5000 Wildwood Dr.) is officially cancelled for today, Thursday, June 18.
• Saferoom: The Picayune Community Saferoom located at 501 Laurel Street remains open for anyone seeking secure shelter from the weather.
Public Safety Contacts
• Emergencies: Dial 911 immediately.
• To Report Localized Storm Issues: To reach public safety dispatch for non-life-threatening storm issues or to report street conditions, call Central Dispatch directly at 601-749-5482.
We will continue to update this post as conditions evolve or following the next major National Weather Service briefing. To get these updates pushed directly to your phone via text or email, please visit www.picayune.ms.us and sign up for the "Notify Me" feature.
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UPDATE June 17, 2026 — 4:35 PM
All details from our previous briefing remain active and unchanged, with the following official operational updates added for tomorrow, Thursday, June 18:
Municipal Closures & Personnel Status
• Non-Essential Personnel: All non-essential city personnel will remain home tomorrow, Thursday, June 18. Essential emergency, public works, and public safety crews will remain fully active on the lines.
• Municipal Court Cancelled: Picayune Municipal Court, located at 5000 Wildwood Drive, has cancelled court for tomorrow, Thursday, June 18.
Public Safety Contacts
If you experience an emergency or require immediate assistance during this weather event, please utilize the appropriate communications channels:
• Emergency Situations: As always, dial 911 immediately.
• Non-Emergency Requests: For all non-emergency calls requiring public safety dispatch, please contact Central Dispatch directly at 601-749-5482.
Ongoing Staging & Safety Reminders
All sandbag staging, saferoom shelter, and damage self-reporting resources detailed in our earlier update remain fully in effect. Sandbags will be available tomorrow from 10 am to 6 pm in the same locations.
We expect conditions to intensify as Tropical Storm Arthur pushes inland. Please visit our website at www.picayune.ms.us to track adjustments on our alert banner or sign up for the "Notify Me" feature to receive emergency text and email alerts sent directly to your phone.
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June 17, 2026 — 11:20 AM Weather and Preparation Update – Please SHARE!!! This includes what to expect, what is happening, saferoom info, sandbag info, damage reporting, and how to stay informed!
City administration and emergency officials met this morning to assess the current weather landscape and outline our next steps. Because conditions will change due to Tropical Storm Arthur, our city strategy will continue to evolve as new data comes in.
The Double Threat Window
• Overnight Tonight: Tropical Storm Arthur is pushing into the Gulf South. We are under a threat of localized tornadoes, high winds, heavy rain, and rapid flash flooding starting overnight.
• Through Friday: Independent of any additional rain from the storm, local creeks are rising due to regional runoff. We anticipate cresting and potential creek flooding by Friday.
City Operations & Emergency Status
Our workforce is utilizing every resource available to prepare our infrastructure.
• Declaration of Emergency: The Picayune City Council signed a Declaration of Emergency during the council meeting last night. This is a proactive measure to ensure the city is legally positioned to receive disaster assistance should state or federal funds become available. It is not a guarantee of funding, but it ensures Picayune is included in the process from day one.
• Infrastructure: Public Works crews are currently on the streets clearing catch basins and neighborhood drainage ditches.
• Next Briefing: City leadership will meet again at 3:00 PM today following the National Weather Service's 2:00 PM briefing. Guidance, timelines, and instructions may adjust based on that new data.
• Park Closures: To prioritize safety and shift resources, all City of Picayune parks will close today (Wednesday) at 12:00 PM noon until further notice.
Emergency Saferoom Open
The emergency saferoom is open for anyone who feels unsafe in their home or resides in a historically low-lying area.
• Location: 501 Laurel Street
• Status: Open until further notice.
• What to Bring: Please bring your essential daily items including medications, food, water, and bedding/something to sleep on.
Sandbag Distribution Details
We are deploying sandbags via a two-tiered system to ensure efficiency.
1. Pre-Filled / Packed Bags
• Location: 309 Stephens Street
• Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM today.
• Note: Elderly or disabled residents requiring drop-off assistance handled by the Fire Department should email requests preferably to: [email protected]
2. Self-Service Stations (Open starting at 12:00 PM noon)
• Please do not arrive at these locations before 12:00 PM noon. Vehicles parking early will block the roadways and staging areas for our heavy sand delivery trucks.
• Requirements: Shovels/equipment are not provided. The city supplies the sand and the bags only; you must bring your own tools to fill them.
• Locations:
1. Daniels Street Park (The Barking Lot Dog Park)
2. Leola Jordan Park (903 E. Canal Street)
3. First United Pentecostal Church (123 Kendrick Lane)
4. 1206 Pinewood Drive
Damage Self-Reporting
The Pearl River County Office of Emergency Services has established a digital portal for residents to log property damage from yesterday's initial flooding. If your home or business sustained damage, please self-report the details here: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/pearlriverMS/request.html
Stay Informed
Conditions are evolving quickly. This specific post will be updated continuously as new information becomes available.
Residents can stay in the loop by watching our official city social media channels, visiting our website at www.picayune.ms.us to click the alert banner at the top of the page, or signing up for the "Notify Me" feature on the website to receive text and email notifications the moment information goes out.
