Dozens of children rescued from day care center as flood waters rise in Mississippi
_fitted.png "Dozens were rescued from a Mississippi daycare as flood waters continued to rise, photos and videos show.")
Dozens of children and workers have been rescued from a day care in Mississippi as weather conditions worsen and flood waters rise, photos show.
Rankin County officials responded to Railroad Center Day Care in Florence to rescue children and workers as flood waters continued to rise late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Aug. 24, according to a tweet from WLBT’s Mike Evans.
“The kids seemed to take it all in stride, well cared for by those that came to their rescue,” Evans tweeted along with a video showing a high-water truck full of children and adults.
The rescue was one of many across the state as severe rainfall unleashed dangerous and damaging flash floods.
Earlier in the day, a nursing home in Rankin County was evacuated, according to a Facebook post from Sheriff Bryan Bailey.
Residents of the nursing home were taken to the Rankin County Safe Room where they were all being evaluated by medical personnel and getting food and shelter, the post says.
As of Wednesday morning, some areas had received more than a foot of rainfall in 24 hours, according to The Weather Channel. Central Mississippi was hit the hardest.
Several roads and highways have been damaged or washed away by the weather. Officials are encouraging residents to stay inside and get to higher ground, if needed.
“IMPORTANT! If you cannot see the road under the water, TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. DO NOT drive through flooded roadways. Do NOT drive around barricades. Even if there are no barricades, be smart and don’t drive through flooded waters,” the National Weather Service of Jackson, Mississippi tweeted.
“During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Get to higher ground. Do not drive or walk into floodwaters. It only takes 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet,” another tweet from the NWS says.
An evacuation center opened in Madison County on Wednesday afternoon, according to a tweet from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Those needing to evacuate due to flooding are encouraged to go to Canton Multipurpose Center located at 501 Soldiers Colony Roadd, Canton, MS 39046.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Dozens of children rescued from day care center as flood waters rise in Mississippi."
