A Flash Warning continues for Shelby County. High water from steady rain the past two days has created hazardous driving conditions in some areas of Shelby County.

“People need to be on the lookout for high water on the streets and along the roadsides. More rain is predicted through the weekend,” said Dale Lane, Director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness.

High water closed Third Street near downtown, led to a mudslide along Riverside Drive and also shut down traffic on Millington-Arlington between Deadfall and Gratitude Church Road, Pisgah between Raleigh-LaGrange and Humphrey and Macon east of Houston Levee.

“The Shelby County Office of Preparedness is staying in close contact with police officers and sheriff’s deputies who are monitoring areas known for flooding,” added Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

High water overwhelmed many storm drains throughout the area. “Our public works employees have been very busy clearing debris. People need to call our 311 center to report any drainage issues in their neighborhood,” said City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

Here are some safety tips about the dangers of high water:
• When approaching high water, turn around
• Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and two feet of water can sweep your vehicle away
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground

For updated information, go to www.staysafeshelby.us or call (901) 222-6700.