“If we had not gotten all that rain, it would have basically been like a severe summer thunderstorm,” said Earl Etheridge , Executive Director of Jackson County’s Emergency Services. “But the flooding was our issue. When you get 12 to 15 inches of rain, it’s going to make a mess.”
In all, 22 water rescues had to be performed, with 15 in Moss Point , where a temporary shelter was opened at Pelican Landing for those rescued from the flood waters. Another man had to be rescued after he inadvisedly drove his vehicle into flood waters in the St. Andrews community southeast of Ocean Springs .
Overall, there were an estimated 150 roads covered in water, as well as 300 homes and businesses which were rendered inaccessible due to flooding. Other data showed the highest wind gust recorded was 50 mph at Trent Lott Airport , although Etheridge said there were likely some higher gusts within some of Ida’s feeder bands which did not get recorded.
At Ida’s peak, there were 3,386 Jackson County homes without power, while storm surge was estimated at eight feet for the western end of the county; five feet along the eastern side. The storm surge, of course, factored into the flooding.
“It was the rain that got us, coupled with the storm surge, which meant there was nowhere for the rainwater to drain off,” Etheridge said. “Plus our ground has been saturated since the first of the year. There was just no where for the water to go.”
The assessment of structural damage across the county was just beginning Tuesday, with Etheridge’s department being assisted by Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) personnel and the Red Cross .
Etheridge said people who have received damage can report it online to MEMA. He added, however, doing so does not constitute a request for financial assistance. It is a reporting tool, only.
Those needing assistance can contact MEMA at 888-514-3583.
Etheridge also said a Facebook post claiming Jackson County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) were providing free hotel rooms for Ida victims was completely false.
For some areas, Ida isn’t quite a memory just yet. Etheridge said the tides remain high and will until Friday. The Pascagoula and Escatawpa rivers are expected to reach flood stage later in the week, although he said it will only be minor.
Nevertheless, places such as Cedar Creek Estates and River Lodge along the Pascagoula River , and Orange Grove and some areas of Moss Point along the Escatawpa River will have some flooding.
“It’s just a gift that keeps on giving,” Etheridge said of the hurricane.
One of the more bizarre stories emerging from Ida involved a goat which was left tied up in the parking lot of an abandoned bank building on Kreole Avenue in Moss Point .
Police posted a photo of the goat to Facebook, asking the owner to come back and get it — and noting that the goat was eating the bumper of a Nissan Titan parked next to it. Police later updated the post to note the goat had been rescued.
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