NATCHEZ — Five extra feet of water might make sandbagging efforts of some Silver Street businesses go from precautionary to futile, some area officials said.

“If (the river) gets to 63 or higher, its going to get pretty close to getting into buildings (such as) the Isle of Capri (office) and Magnolia Bar and Grill,” Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said. “We’re talking about Mississippi River here.”

Owens said the new 65-foot prediction, if it happens, means that a few more residences and businesses will be flooded in Adams County.

J.M. Jones Lumber Company will be heavily impacted by floodwaters, Owens said.

“We’ll do what we can to protect everybody and their property,” Owens said.

“The main thing is those affected by these waters (should) make preparations to get out (the area) in a safe manner.”

Owens said when the river is at 60 feet, the previous prediction for the Natchez area; 2.1 million cubic feet flow by the city a second.

“This river is a monster,” he said.

Natchez City Engineer David Gardner said he has already met with business and landowners on Silver Street about potential flooding.

Flooding and possibly erosion near Magnolia Vale, Silver Street and Roth Hill are concerns inside the city limits, Gardner said.

Along with the landowners, Gardner said the city will decide where to place sandbags most effectively, taking into account rising predictions.

“We’re going to go back tomorrow and pinpoint where (the sandbags) need to be placed,” Gardner said.

Gardner said the additional feet mean flood waters will take longer to recede.

Less access to flooded areas means less opportunity to stay open for business.

“It’s a detriment to the businesses of that region,” Gardner said. “It’s not good for the City of Natchez.”

Mayor Jake Middleton said at an April 26 Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting the city could lose approximately $80,0000 in gaming revenues if the Isle of Capri is closed for one month.

Gardner said the city will have to work with engineers to study topography for sandbag placement.

“Placement is important. If the river keeps rising, where you put them may not be in as good of a spot,” Gardner said.

“We want to begin sandbagging; but we don’t want the river to be forecast any higher than it has.”

Florescent orange flags were stuck in the ground Monday on Silver Street marking 65 feet, Gardner said. River level numbers were also spray painted on the road, marking how far up the hill would be covered for each crest height.

More walkers than usual walked up and down the hill and bluff Monday evening to check on the river levels.

Both Owens and Gardner said residents should avoid river-level voyeurism on Silver Street.

Gardner predicted extra traffic from flood water sight-seers will congest traffic on Silver Street, which is especially inconvenient for official vehicles when the street becomes two-way.

Gardner said he hopes the river does not rise anymore than currently predicted because an increased level will make the flooding unmanageable.

Gardner said the flooding would not impact the wastewater treatment plant’s system, which pumps treated water back into the river. The gravity flow pump would only become stopped up at the level of the river, but the river water would not back up into the plant, he said.

Owens said those who do want to catch a glimpse of a flooded Silver Street should do so from the top of the Natchez bluff.

He said 2.1 million cubic feet of water passing by creates a strong current, he said.

“Only go down (Silver Street) if you want to do business,” Gardner said.

“We’re on top of it, we understand the seriousness of this and are working with everybody to minimize the damage and inconvenience,” Gardner said.

Owens said those concerned their property is in flood range can contact the emergency management office at 601-442-7021.

The highest recorded crest in Natchez is 58.4 feet in 1937.