Storms cause flooding at Fairgrounds

Heavy rains caused extensive flooding at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds last week but countywide no major damage was reported, officials said.

The Fairgrounds received eight inches of rain on Thursday and another six inches of rain Monday morning flooding about 30 cabins, according to officials.

“Really an unprecedented amount of rain,” said Neshoba County Fair Manager Kevin Cheatham. “It would be hard for any infrastructure to handle that much water.”

Canal Street, Happy Hollow, Sunset Strip and other parts of the grounds were affected by the flooding, according to Cheatham.

Repairing damage to the race track, restoring washed-out streets and repairing damage to the perimeter fence caused by falling trees is on top of the to-do list, Cheatham said.

“We are trying to get back in shape now,” Cheatham said Tuesday morning.

“We ask for patience,” Cheatham said. “We are working as fast and as hard as we can to get things back in shape in time for everyone to have a great Fair.”

Neshoba County Emergency Management Director Darrell Wilson said no major damage was reported countywide, although crews have had to clear trees from roadways.

“No structure damage has been called into the EMA Office from the storms,” Wilson said. “We had numerous trees down blocking or partially blocking roads and highways.” 

Wilson said there were several locations where water was across the road due to flash flooding, although “most cleared shortly after the rain stopped.”

County Administrator Jeff Mayo said they had “washes on numerous roads” throughout the county and that crews are working to get all roads repaired.

Specifically, Mayo said crews were working on Road 270, Road 236 and Road 412 Tuesday morning. 

He said they hoped to have Roads 270 and 236 open soon but said Road 412 off of Highway 21 south would need specialized equipment to clear and repair.

He also noted Road 218 in the southwest corner of the county had “some washes but is passable.”