FLOODS OF DECEMBER 1961 IN MISSISSIPPI AND ADJOINING STATES by James D. Shell Prepared by U.S. Geological Survey 1962 circular 465 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract Introduction General description of rainfall Description of flood Flood damages Aerial photography River profiles Streamflow data       Records of discharge       Summary of flood stages and discharges FIGURES 1. Isohyetal map of Mississippi and adjoining States, showing rainfall December 5-13, 1961 2. Isohyetal map of Mississippi and adjoining States, showing rainfall December 14-18, 1961 3. Isohyetal map of Mississippi and adjoining States, showing rainfall December 5-18, 1961 4. Aerial view showing flooded area along South State Street at Jackson, Miss. 5. Aerial view showing flooded area along Gallatin Street in Jackson, Miss. 6. Aerial view of Jackson, Miss., showing flooding near time of peak, December 21, 1961 7. Map of Mississippi and adjoining States, showing recurrence interval in years, of peak discharge at selected points, December 1961 8. Graph showing accumulated rainfall and stage of Sowashee Creek at Meridian, Miss., December 5-19, 1961 9. Graph showing accumulated rainfall and stage of Pearl River at Edinburg, Miss., December 5-20, 1961 10. Map of Mississippi and adjoining States, showing location of flood profiles to be surveyed and aerial-photograph coverage December 1961 TABLES 1. Rainfall, in inches, at selected sites in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama for period December 5-18, 1961 2. Mean discharge (preliminary), in cubic feet per second, December 1961, of Pearl River at Edinburg, Miss. 3. Mean discharge (preliminary), in cubic feet per second, December 1961, of Pearl River at Meeks Bridge near Canton, Miss. 4. Mean discharge (preliminary), in cubic feet per second, December 1961, of Pearl River at Jackson, Miss. 5. Mean discharge (preliminary), in cubic feet per second, December 1961, of Big Black River near Bovina, Miss. 6. Flood stages and discharges ABSTRACT Widespread floods occurred over parts of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama after heavy rains during December 5-18, 1961. A series of low-pressure systems produced as much as 19 inches of rainfall in some areas. Heavy rainfall, 7 to 11 inches, on December 10 resulted in outstanding floods on small streams in southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama. Subsequent rains produced multiple floods on small streams and outstanding floods of prolonged duration along the Big Black, upper Pearl, and lower Tombigbee Rivers in Mississippi. At Jackson, Miss., the Pearl River reached the highest stage known. Along the east bank, floodwaters topped or breached some of the levee system protecting the Flowood industrial area, but other parts were saved by extensive reinforcement and by emergency operation of the partially completed dam 10 miles upstream. Additional heavy damage to commercial and industrial property was prevented as a result of these measures. Elsewhere, damage was restricted primarily to secondary highways and bridges. Two lives were lost. 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.