/Flooding in Mississippi ‘The only thing that we are looking forward to is just survival’

Flooding in Mississippi ‘The only thing that we are looking forward to is just survival’

Billy Whitten is sitting in his Valley Park farm shop, checking his smartphone for updates about the Mississippi River levels. He has a concern look on his face as he looks at the screen. He stared at the screen, raising his eyebrows as he thought of the destruction of his 1,440 acres farmland due to flooding. Whitten stated, “The only thing we look forward to is survival.” With the hope of farming his land in 2020, survival is the most likely outcome at the moment. Whitten, who lives in Valley Park about 30 minutes north-east of Vicksburg, said that “this year has been written off” as a lost cause. When his family moved to Valley Park in 1952, Whitten’s father began the farm. Whitten and his brother purchased the farm from their father in 1978 and have been farming since. His brother died in 1978, and Whitten’s brother took over the farm. Whitten’s son then joined the family to take over. Whitten’s fields today are completely barren. “It’s a common practice that we prepare the ground for the next year when we harvest our crops in fall,” Whitten said. But, he couldn’t prepare his land because it began raining as soon as he harvested the crops. Whitten stated that he would not be earning any income this year. Crop insurance will cover the rent land and some small expenses. Whitten stated that there are still a lot of expenses, regardless of whether or not we have a crop. “So, it’s going be difficult to make it this season.” Nearly 220,000 acres of farmland in the Mississippi Delta have been affected by flooding, disrupting many farmers’ lives and livelihoods. Peter Nimrod (chief engineer for the Mississippi Levee Board), says that the flood stage of the area won’t drop below the flood stage until August. He anticipates that the backwater will disappear by September. Nearly 550,000 acres, including more than 200,000 acres of farmland, are currently underwater. The Mississippi River near Vicksburg currently stands at 49.1 feet. It is expected to fall to 38.6 by early August. The flood level is currently at 97.4ft above sea level, but is expected to fall to 88ft. Weather conditions are important. According to the National Weather Service the rains from Hurricane Barry have poured down on the backwater areas. Steele Bayou Structure, and Little Sunflower Control Structure are now open. This will drain the backwater. Marty Pope, National Weather Service, stated that although it could have been worse, the low rainfall in the area made things easier. He said that the Mississippi River at Vicksburg will drop approximately 2 feet in the next five to 6 days. This will allow water from Steele Bayou to move a bit faster. Whitten believes that the controversial Yazoo Pumps (an unfinished Corps project) could provide a solution to future flooding. The debate over the pumps has been going on for 80 years. Opponents claim that the pumps could drain thousands of areas from wetlands that are vital for wildlife habitats. “It’s not a good time for farmers, I’ll tell ya that” Some areas at higher elevations have been able hold onto their crops in Tchula in Holmes County’s southern region. Others were less fortunate. You can see the stark contrast at some places. On one side, there are acres of healthy corn. But on the other, you can see a barren area that looks like a Nevada desert. Calvin Head, a Milestone Cooperative member and local farmer, said, “It’s not a good time for a farmer. Head stated that the tariffs caused prices to fall. This makes it more difficult for farmers already struggling.” Roy Lee Brown, a Tchula farmer, has been living in poverty since the record-breaking rainfall that flooded the Delta region. Brown stated that it’s been raining continuously since last year and hasn’t stopped since. The yield of soybeans will decrease the later we plant them. Farmers usually produce 60 bushels per acre of soybeans in most seasons, excluding extreme weather. Brown didn’t produce enough to sustain his family farm this season. Brown stated that it is difficult to finance a farm with a low yield. Brown’s family has been farming in Tchula since the 1950s, when they moved to Milestone, a community in Tchula. Brown claims that there were 40 black farmers in the region. His family farmed 40 acres when he arrived. Brown now farms more than 850 acres. Brown’s family is the last remaining farm in the region. Brown has three jobs to support his family, which includes his farm business. Brown works for the Canadian National Railway and owns a truck he uses to transport grain. Brown stated that it was difficult to have two jobs in order to keep the family farm afloat. Brown can’t understand why he doesn’t see support for small-time farmers and those who have thousands of acres. Brown stated that farmers are essential to the world. The Guardian named Holmes County as the poorest municipality in the state in a 2015 article. Brown said that soybean prices are now too low due to China’s tariffs. Brown stated that when you have to sell your crop for $8 per bushel and you’re used to receiving $15 to $16, it can severely impact the business. The Delta farmers are waiting for the waters recede to hope for a better future.