Shelby County Office of Preparedness
Harbor Town along the Wolf River Harbor
Emergency officials in Shelby County predict that fewer than 50 homes and 20 businesses could be affected by flood waters in nearby rivers.
That’s according to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland who was briefed on the situation with the local leaders Tuesday morning at the Shelby County Office of Preparedness [SCOP] Emergency Operations Center.
The Mississippi River was nearly at 38 feet Tuesday morning. Flood stage is 34 feet. The National Weather Service predicts the river will crest Friday at 40.5 feet. In 2011, the river crested at 48 feet. The record high for the river was set in 1937 at 48.7 feet.
So far, all major roads are open in Shelby County and no major damage has been reported. The SCOP predicts that no significant damage is expected with the river crest of 40.5 feet, though water could spill over into yards and roads in some low-lying areas.
Still, fire and law enforcement agencies will visit neighborhoods Tuesday along the Loosahatchie River near Frayser and Big Creek near Woodstock to warn citizens about the high water threat.
For more information on the flood, visit www.StaySafeShelby.us.
Fire and law enforcement officials will continue round-the-clock visits to homes and businesses in these ZIP codes:
38053 – Woodstock, Millington
38103 – Downtown Memphis
38105 – North Memphis
38106 – South Memphis
38107 – North Memphis
38108 – North Memphis
38109 – Westwood
38116 – Whitehaven
38127 – Frayser, Northaven, Shelby Forest
38128 – Frayser and Raleigh
The SCOP says these are the current high-water threats in the Harbor Town neighborhood:
• Island Place East
• Running River Place
• River Landing
• Harbor Isle Circle
• Marina Cottage Cove
So far, these are the only flood-related closures:
• Second Street between Mud Island Drive and the Stiles Treatment Center
• Island Place East
• Billion Road at Old Cuba-Benjestown Road
• Boat ramps at Greenbelt Park and Shelby Forest
The Shelby County Health Department has issued this list of tips for dealing with flood water:
• Limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contaminants, including raw sewage and other hazardous materials.
• Avoid wading, swimming, playing, or boating in floodwaters. It only takes six inches of moving flood water to carry a person away.
• If you do come into contact with flood water, immediately wash your hands with disinfecting soap.
• Early symptoms from exposure to contaminated flood water may include upset stomach, intestinal problems, headache, and other flu-like discomfort. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these after contact with flood water.
• Do not allow pets to walk through or drink flood water.
The Tennessee office of the National Federation of Independent Business [NFIB] issued some advice Monday for business owners that could potentially be affected by floodwaters.
Before the disaster:
• Understand the risks.
• Take photographs and videos of your assets.
• Have an emergency response plan.
• Develop a communications plan.
• Backup your business records.
• Create a disaster kit.
After the disaster:
• Use social media as well as your company’s website to keep up with customers, vendors and your employees.
• Document any damage to your business with photos and video.
• Protect your property from further damage, but hold off making permanent repairs until the claims adjuster can come to your business and assess the damage.
For more information about disaster preparedness for business, visit nfib.com/disaster.