Intense rainfall pounded central Mississippi on Thursday, leading to widespread flooding that impacted homes, businesses, and roadways in Winston County and Louisville. The downpour, which began around 6 a.m., continued for several hours, transforming streets into rivers and necessitating numerous rescues.

Winston County Sheriff Jason Pugh reported that law enforcement personnel extracted three individuals from submerged vehicles and assisted several others in evacuating their flooded homes. In one dramatic instance, a driver whose car was swept into a ditch managed to escape before it completely sank, finding refuge on the roof of his vehicle in knee-deep water until officers reached him.

With a population of approximately 17,500, Winston County, including its largest town, Louisville (situated roughly 95 miles northeast of Jackson), faced significant disruption. Remarkably, no fatalities or critical injuries were reported within the initial six hours of the deluge.

Sheriff Pugh urged residents to avoid all non-essential travel, anticipating extensive road damage once the water recedes. He compared the intensity of the rainfall to a similar event in 1977, recalling flooded streets in Louisville that he had never witnessed inundated before.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation also issued flash flood warnings for several state highways within Winston County. The heavy rainfall caused widespread disruption, impacting homes, businesses, and roadways.