Flood Warning Issued for Big Black River in Attala and Holmes Counties

Source: NOAA · Central Mississippi

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NWS Jackson MS has issued a flood warning for the Big Black River at West. Minor flooding is expected to begin Saturday evening, affecting Attala and Holmes counties.

What this NWS weather alert tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by NOAA on March 26, 2026 and geographically references Central Mississippi. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken — "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to — Weather Alerts — determines the regulatory framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, recalls, evacuations) are available to affected individuals and who holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.

Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to read it as a data point about the issuing system: how quickly NOAA detected the hazard, how precise the geographic or product-identifier scope is, and whether similar notices have clustered in the same category or region in the last 90 days. Cluster patterns frequently precede a broader regulatory action — a single localized NWS weather alert is isolated; three of them within a quarter often indicate a supply-chain, infrastructure, or seasonal driver that will keep producing notices until something structural changes.

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Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Jackson MS has issued a Flood Warning for the Big Black River at West. This alert was issued on March 13 at 9:37 AM CDT and remains in effect from Saturday evening until further notice.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following regions in Mississippi:

  • Attala County
  • Holmes County

The primary area of concern is the Big Black River at West.

What You Should Do

Residents and motorists are urged to take the following precautions:

  • Turn around, don't drown: Never attempt to drive through flooded roads. Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles.
  • Avoidance: Stay away from flooded lowlands and agricultural areas near the river.
  • Monitor local updates for further statements, with the next update expected this evening at approximately 9:45 PM CDT.

Expected Conditions

Minor flooding is forecast for the region. As of 8:45 AM CDT on Friday, the river stage was recorded at 12.3 feet. The river is forecast to rise above the flood stage of 15.0 feet tomorrow evening. It is expected to reach a crest of 15.6 feet by early Sunday afternoon. At the 15.0-foot threshold, flooding begins to impact agricultural land and lowlands adjacent to the river.

Timeline

  • Alert Effective: March 13, 2026, at 9:37 AM CDT
  • Flood Onset: Saturday evening, March 14, 2026
  • Expected Crest: Early Sunday afternoon, March 15, 2026
  • Duration: Until further notice

Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NWS weather alert.

What is this NWS weather alert about?
NWS Jackson MS has issued a flood warning for the Big Black River at West. Minor flooding is expected to begin Saturday evening, affecting Attala and Holmes counties.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Central Mississippi. Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Alerts updates?
Browse the full Weather Alerts feed on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.