Governor Tate Reeves said Sunday morning that the Pearl River would continue to rise throughout the day, and he warned that the state faces a "precarious situation that can turn at any moment."

In one Jackson neighbourhood, residents paddled canoes, kayaks and small fishing boats to check on their houses, giving lifts to other neighbours. Some were able to get inside while others peeked into the windows to see what damage had been done. Floodwaters lapped at mailboxes, street signs and cars that had been left in driveways.

Officials urged residents to pay attention to evacuation orders, check on road closures before travelling and stay out of floodwaters.

While the focus now is on the Jackson area, the heavy rains and flooding has affected a much larger swathe of the state. State emergency management officials said Sunday that they had received preliminary damage reports from 11 counties.

Australian Associated Press