MONTICELLO — Substantial rainfall this weekend has helped the Pearl River get over flood stage this week. National Weather Service of Jackson issued a flood warning for parts of Lawrence County along the Pearl River.

NWS states the river was observed to be at 22.5 feet over gauge zero Tuesday morning which is .5 feet above flood stage. Minor river flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast to continue until tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. when the warning expires.

According to the National Weather Service, when the Pearl River reaches 22 feet near Monticello it inundates some lowlands and agricultural lands near the river.  Drivers should remember to “turn around, don’t drown,” if they encounter flood waters in Lawrence County.

Pearl River stages should drop over the next few days getting back below flood stage Wednesday and dropping to 18 feet Sunday morning.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries temporarily closed Pearl River WMA south of Pike County due to flooding according to a press release Monday.

Sunshine is in the forecast over the next few days until a small chance of rain pops up Thursday afternoon and Friday. The next chance of rain after this coming weekend will be Monday.