Fairchild was an employee of Mississippi Iron Works on State Street for five years. Due to the flooding of Pearl River, 3 feet is now underwater. It reached 36.7 feet Monday. “It’s a day we can look back on and remember that we all came through this and made it.” Gov. Tate Reeves spoke Monday at a news conference. “Everyone has worked together, and that’s something I am proud of. We are making progress but there is still much to be done.” Col. Gregory S. Michel of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says the next steps for the state are to continue to recover while the level remains at a halt. Michel stated that “We will begin our efforts towards the recovery, but we know it’s going be a long, long, and enduring process.” Many people affected by flooding have fled their homes and are not sure what to do when they return. Officials fear that floodwaters have affected hundreds of homes. Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today Report For America Wilner hubbard is an eight-year-old resident of her Harrow Drive house. She was unaware of its condition until unanticipated help arrived to assess it. Christopher Lockhart, the owner of Capital City Kayaks parked his kayak on dry ground after surveying the area in Jackson where Hubbard’s home was surrounded by water. Lockhart locates Hubbard, and pulls out his smartphone to show Hubbard photos he took of her home. She glances at Lockhart’s phone, and her eyes start to well up with tears. Hubbard stated, “I’m rejoicing as there is no water anywhere going in my home.” She was one of few people who could smile amid the natural disaster. Lockhart stated, “I’m a guy with a lot of boats. Why not put them to use?” Hubbard was not the only one Lockhart helped. Lockhart also assisted Jeffery Lewis, who is the owner of Mississippi Basketball and Athletics. Lewis wanted to inspect his business even though Lockhart had surveyed it. “It’s nice to see God protect me, and I am excited that he didn’t have too.” Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today Report For America “I could be anywhere, but I am right here helping these people. It’s great feeling.” Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today Report For America Lewis stood near the flood waters in his knee-high rubber boots, waiting for Mississippi Department of Wildlife Special Response Team members to take him on a swamp boat ride to his athletic training facility. Lewis’ business is not only a training ground for athletes but also offers after-school programs and weekly meals. He was not only worried about his business being inundated, but also worried about the impact on his community. “We don’t have any place for the children to go. Lewis stated that children come to Lewis’ facility every day. He was relieved to discover that the water had not reached the interior of his building after the response team brought him there. “I have lived in Jackson my whole life, and I’ve never seen it flood this way on Westbrook before.” These stories are just a few from flood victims in the Jackson Metro Area. The governor stated that flooding is now threatening Copiah and Simpson, Jeff Davis, Jeff Davis, Marion Pearl River, Hancock, Jeff Davis, Jeff Davis, Jeff Davis, Lawrence, Jeff Davis, Jeff Davis, Marion, Pearl River, and Lawrence counties. Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today Report For America