Flood Warning Issued for Big Black River at West Affecting Attala and Holmes Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Jackson, MS, has issued a Flood Warning for the Big Black River at West. This alert indicates that minor flooding is forecast for the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically affects the following regions in Mississippi:

• Attala County
• Holmes County

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Turn around, don’t drown: Never attempt to drive through flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
• Avoid flooded areas: Stay away from riverbanks and low-lying agricultural land near the river.
• Monitor updates: The next official statement from the NWS is expected to be issued this evening at approximately 9:15 PM CDT.

Expected Conditions

• Flood Stage: The flood stage for the Big Black River at West is 15.0 feet.
• Current Status: As of 8:45 AM CDT on Thursday, the river stage was measured at 11.1 feet.
• Forecast: The river is expected to rise above flood stage just after midnight tonight. It is projected to reach a crest of 16.0 feet by early tomorrow afternoon.
• Impacts: At 15.0 feet, minor flooding begins to affect lowlands and agricultural land in the vicinity of the river.

Timeline

• Effective Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
• Warning Onset: Just after midnight tonight (early Friday morning, March 13)
• Expected Crest: Early Friday afternoon, March 13
• Warning Expiration: The alert remains in effect until 5:00 AM CDT on Sunday, March 15, 2026.