Flood control
By Staff
April 13, 2003
The engineered systems that help protect life and property by controlling flood waters in an around Meridian were nearly overwhelmed last week by an unfortunate act of nature, not human failure. Generally, they did their jobs well.
The reservoir and dam at Okatibbee held back millions of gallons of water that otherwise would have caused much more major flooding downstream. In fact, because so much water was retained, the lake's level rose significantly, threatening the marina and adjacent facilities. There was no sudden, mass release of water through the spillway. For most of the period, the spillway was releasing about the same volume of water as is usual this time of year. Later in the week, the volume was increased to relieve the growing pressure on the dam.
There were reports that a dam at Dalewood Lake was damaged by the rising waters but that it was holding. According to the Red Cross, about 30 people were evacuated from the area.
Drainage improvements constructed in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of the Sowashee Creek Channelization Project also helped. While the improvements did not completely control the flooding due to the sheer volume of rain and runoff, they did protect many, many properties.
The flooding that did occur along the routes of the Okatibbee Creek and Chunky and Chickasawhay rivers was bad enough. But, at least in our view, it could have been so much worse.
Working together
Last week's flood emergencies serve as another reminder that our community owes a huge debt to the volunteers and full-time professionals who serve us in any number of public safety and public service capacities.
As always, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army were quick to the scene of flooding in homes around several east Mississippi counties. Residents simply could not do without the food, water, shelter and other assistance offered by these agencies.
Law enforcement and emergency management personnel had some busy days rescuing people whose homes and businesses were victimized.
This occasion also reminds us that the Red Cross and Salvation Army depend largely on the generosity of people in our community to help them fund disaster recovery efforts. Financial donations are always needed and accepted and, from time to time, other specific needs are also identified.
If you haven't already, isn't it time you got involved in helping support our emergency management and disaster recovery organizations?
Progress in tort reform
A new ranking of legal climates in the 50 states by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce still shows Mississippi dead last. But it also carries a footnote that recent civil justice reforms may, when fully implemented, change future rankings.
That's the good news. The bad news is that a lot of work remains to be done if the image and reality of Mississippi's legal system is to really improve.
The U.S. Chamber believes a state's legal system can scare potential economic development prospects who are fearful that frivolous lawsuits can drive up the cost of doing business.
We believe the positive changes to Mississippi's civil justice system enacted by the Legislature in a long special session last year will help restore confidence in Mississippi as a good place to do business. It was a good first step, but flaws in the system need to be rooted out and repaired.
That view is apparently shared by Mississippians for Economic Progress, a group of more than 50 Mississippi business and professional associations, individuals and business people. The group advocates comprehensive tort reform as the only way to end lawsuit abuse.
Given the contentious debate, it could be that few legislators are eager to raise the issue of comprehensive tort reform again any time soon especially not this election year. But when the new Legislature convenes in January 2004, the issue should be among the first considered.
Mississippi must put an end to lawsuit abuse, not only for the sake of our image but also for the sake of our future.
