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COVINGTONLEADER.COM ▪ THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011 ▪ VO L . 1 2 6 , N O. 2 5 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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FLOOD WATCH 2011
Officials concerned about loss of farmland As floodwaters rise, county officials worry for the future of agriculture and the potential of a change in the county’s landscape
ROLLING IN THE DEEP An irrigation system on Pryor Road in Southwest Tipton County is shown in a flooded field earlier this week as heavy rains fell on the Mid-South, causing flash flooding in addition to river flooding from the Mississippi. Photo courtesy Tipton County Sheriff ’s Office
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
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s the Mississippi River begins to rise, county officials worry about the loss of farmland and the possible change in Tipton County’s landscape. Due to higher than average snowmelt and rainfall over the last few months, the river has swelled over its banks and historic flooding, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is forthcoming. Prior to a stationary cold front which dumped heavy rains on the Mid-South last week, Covington-Tipton County Emergency Management Director Tommy Dunavant said the worst thing the area could get would be 4-5 inches of rain.
In the last week, 5-8 inches of rain has fallen in Tipton County. “The big concern is the flooding and even off of the rivers, the system is full,” he said. “All of the tributaries and the rivers that flow to the Hatchie and to the Mississippi, those systems are full; we just don’t have room for that water to go.” The ground, said officials, is saturated due to the area receiving 15-20 inches of rain in the last 30 days. Saturation prevents rainfall – especially heavy rainfall – from draining properly. This week, the Hatchie River in North Tipton and Big Creek in South Tipton both swelled to well above their flood stages. Big Creek rose and fell dramatically, rising from 21.58 feet at 4 a.m. on Monday, May 2 to
40.25 feet by 3 p.m. and back down below flood stage (27 feet) by 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 3. At more than 21 feet at Rialto, where it crosses Hwy. 51, the Hatchie is nearing historic flooding levels set in 1937. Flood stage for this area is 20 feet; the 1937 record was 23.54 feet. Wednesday evening, the Mississippi River measured 44.64 feet on the Memphis Gage, more than 10 feet above its flood stage. The Corps of Engineers predicts the river will crest at 48 feet on Wednesday, May 11. Last week, Brian Webster brought his grandson Hayden Carter to Duvall Landing to survey the rising waters and blow off some energy. The river rose more than a foot and a half since the day before.
HIGH WATER A vehicle braves high water on Watson Road in Munford Monday as Big Creek rose to more than 40 feet, 13 feet over its flood stage, and became level with the roadway. Photo by Echo Day
“I believe this is going to be a flood of historic proportions,” Webster said. “I’ve seen it three feet deep (at Duvall Landing), but never 10.” By Sunday, Duvall Landing
and Coon Valley Road, were completely underwater. This week more than 50 roadways have been closed due to river flooding and flash flooding SEE FLOOD, A2
EVENTS
Relay for Life event set for Friday night Annual fundraiser changes locations, will take place at Cobb-Parr Park By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com The signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life typically raises thousands of dollars for cancer research and Friday night the journey begins again. Since 1996, Relay for Life has raised more than $1 million in Tipton County and though participation has been decreasing in recent years, organizers are working to make changes. “By participating “Relay in Relay, we are is a unique opportunity joining with the for our comAmerican Cancer munity to come together Society’s efforts to to celebrate create a world with people who have battled more birthdays.” cancer, Heather Ziegler, remember 2011 co-chair those we’ve lost and fight back against the disease,” said event chair Heather Ziegler, whose son Roman battled Hodgkins Lymphoma. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Tipton County is not immune to this disease. By participating in Relay, we are joinSEE RELAY, A3
Officers, investigators assaulted in pursuits By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Police pursuits in Tipton County are rare, but last Wednesday night Tipton County law enforcement officers were engaged in two separate chases into Haywood County. Both pursuits also involved attempted injuries to officers. “I am glad that no citizens were harmed and my investigators were not seriously injured,” said Sheriff
J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. “We were not going to stop until we caught these men who blatantly did not care what they had to do to escape being arrested.” At approximately 6:40 p.m., a stepfather-stepson duo was being investigated for attempting to pass forged prescriptions at Covington’s Walgreens. When the subjects were approached by investigators, one was detained by Inv. Brent Chunn and the other fled on foot to his
vehicle, began backing up, striking Inv. Brandon Williams and attempting to back over Inv. Chris Smith. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Donna Turner said the suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Danny Allen, then drove forward, knocking Williams down in the parking lot before fleeing northbound on Hwy. 51. The white Ford Tempo Allen was driving was located on Hope Street by deputies who attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Allen
allegedly refused to stop the vehicle and led deputies on a pursuit west on Hwy. 54. The pursuit continued into Haywood County where it ended when Allen wrecked the vehicle in a ditch at Turnpike Gin. Allen received only minor injuries and was treated and released from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, SEE CHASE, A2
Reader’s Guide
Clean-ups, fix-ups scheduled for Covington, Munford By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com
It’s the time of year for spring cleaning and the Covington and Munford’s annual Clean-up/Fix-up events will take place Saturday. In Covington, the trash awareness week began last Saturday, April 30 and will go on until this Saturday,
May 7. Today, Tommy the Trash Train will visit schools in Covington to raise awareness about littering and recycling. The first stop is the Alternative Learning Center around 8:30 a.m. By 9-9:30 a.m., Tommy will have been at Covington Integrated Arts Academy and will be arriving at Covington High School
around 10:30 a.m. City officials will conclude their efforts Clean-up/Fix-up Week when Walk Across Covington takes place starting at 8 a.m. The clean up will begin at 8 a.m. at the city maintenance shop located at 410 E. Ripley Street. Upon registration, volunteers will be given a t-shirt, garbage
TODAY’S WEATHER Sunny. High, 72. Low, 51. INSIDE Opinion Faith Obituaries Events Education
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Lifestyles Sports Classifieds Puzzles Legals
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FLOOD WATCH 2011 As the rivers rise, the Mid-South is on alert. For twice-daily Tipton County updates, see covingtonleader.com. HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Email news@covingtonleader.com Visit us at 2001 Hwy. 51 South, Covington, TN 38019
SEE CLEAN, A3
AreaEVENTS events AREA
Thisweek’s week’s Featured Church: This featured church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Mortgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • South Covington • Collierville
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Clopton United Methodist Church TurntotoPage Page A7 details Turn A7forfor details
4/30/11 6 p.m. Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Banquet National Guard Armory 5/7/11 7 p.m. Music on the Square – Ronnie Twisdale Court Square – Covington
5/4/11 9:18:47 PM