The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a flood warning for the Pearl River near Monticello affecting Lawrence County.

Flooding of the Pearl River is also expected near Rockport affecting Copiah and Simpson counties and near Columbia affecting Marion County.

Do not drive or walk through areas where water covers the roadway. The water may be deeper than it appears.

At 11:15 a.m. Monday the stage was 18.5 feet with moderate flooding forecast. Flood stage is 22 feet.

The river will rise above flood stage by tonight and will continue to rise to near 26 feet by early Saturday morning.

This crest compares to a previous crest of 27.8 feet on Mar 20 2016.

At 26 feet water covers Old Highway 27 about seven miles north of Monticello near St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

At 25 feet water begins to flood lower portions of Cooper`s Ferry Park in Monticello.

At 24 feet water appears in low areas in the extreme eastern portion of the city of Monticello.

At 22 feet water inundates some lowland and agricultural land near the river.