NORTH MISSISSIPPI FLOODS OF MARCH 1955 Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Mississippi Geological Survey and the Mississippi State Highway Department January 1956 Open File Release No. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction General description of storm and floods Stream-gaging stations Partial-record sites Miscellaneous measurement sites Other records Summary of flood stages and discharges Flood damages PLATES I Map of North Mississippi showing sites for which data are presented II Skuna River at State Highway 9 near Bruce III Oldtown Creek at U.S. Highway 78 in Tupelo IV Tombigbee River in residential section of Aberdeen V Tombigbee River in business district of Aberdeen VI Tombigbee River relief bridge at U.S. Highway 45 near Aberdeen FIGURES 1. Map of North Mississippi showing isohyetal lines for rain of March 20-21, 1955 2. Accumulated rain at selected North Mississippi stations 3. Comparison of North Mississippi rain with 5-, 50-, and 100-year frequencies, March 20-21, 1955 4. Rainfall depth frequency relation for 24-hour rain, North Mississippi 5. Flood hydrograph--Cane Creek near New Albany, Miss. 6. Storage in upper Yazoo flood control reservoirs 7. Flood hydrographs--North Mississippi Streams 8. Relation of unit discharge to size of drainage area North Mississippi floods of March 1955 TABLES 1. Maximum rainfall rates for selected time intervals, March 20-21, 1955 2. Rainfall, North Mississippi, March 18-22, 1955 3. Location of stream-gaging stations 4. Summary of flood discharges in North Mississippi for Flood of March 1955 ABSTRACT Many North Mississippi streams reached record-breaking stages and discharges as a result of heavy rains on March 20, 21, 1955. In some areas, the intensity and magnitude exceeded those computed by Yarnell (1) as having a recurrence interval of once in 100 years. The heavy rains were general over all of Northern Mississippi, but with varying intensity and with magnitudes ranging from 1.19 inches at Columbus to 11.07 inches at Pontotoc. The entire Skuna River basin received an average rainfall in excess of 10 inches. As a result, that river reached the highest stage known. At Aberdeen, the Tombigbee reached its highest stage and discharge since April 1892. Above Aberdeen, stages were higher than any previously experienced. However, recorded experience above Aberdeen goes back only to 1929. There is no factual data on the April 1892 or other floods, but there is good evidence to believe that the flood of March 22, 1955, was the greatest known along the East and West Forks of Tombigbee River since prior to April 1892. Much of North Mississippi was isolated during the flood period. U.S. Highway 72 was closed to traffic west of Corinth because of over- topping by Hatchie and Tuscumbia Rivers. Road washouts caused by East Fork Tombigbee River caused closing of U.S. Highway 78 between Tupelo and Fulton. Nettleton was completely isolated, and Aberdeen, Columbus, and Amory could be reached from only one direction. Direct damage in the flooded areas is estimated to have exceeded $4 million. Indirect damages such as increased travel costs because of detours, delays in commodity shipment, loss of crops, and damage to lands because of overflows, and discomfort cannot be assessed. One life is reported to have been lost. This report presents flood data for gaging stations, records of contents for four flood-control reservoirs, rainfall, flood runoff from very small watersheds, and other pertinent data for the flood. (1) Yarnell, David L., Rainfall intensity--frequency data LizardTech's Djvu plug-in is needed to view these reports. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT For questions or comments, contact K. Van Wilson.