Mississippi road crew member killed during storm cleanup in Franklin County

A road crew member in Franklin County, Mississippi, was killed Thursday while working to clear storm damage, according to Gov. Tate Reeves. The victim’s identity has not been disclosed.

Reeves confirmed the fatality as the state responds to lingering effects of Tropical Storm Arthur, which has caused flooding and road closures across multiple counties. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Environmental Quality are coordinating with local officials and deploying resources.

Water rescues have been reported in Harrison County, and numerous roads remain closed in George, Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties. The dam at Anchor Lake in Pearl River County is operating as designed but is under close watch due to limited storage capacity. Officials warn that additional rainfall could overwhelm the spillways and threaten the dam’s integrity.

Residents in the East Hobolochitto Creek basin, particularly east of Interstate 59 between East Boley Road and West Union Road, are advised to move to higher ground. About 30 homes are being evacuated as a precaution. Emergency officials and dam safety personnel continue to monitor conditions closely.

Reeves urged residents to stay safe, avoid flooded roads, and follow emergency alerts. As of Thursday evening, approximately 8,470 residents across the state remained without power, mostly in Jackson and Harrison counties.

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