Residents at the Naval Support Activity Mid South base in Millington faced mandatory evacuations yesterday as floodwaters threatened to breach the levee and inundate the area. Those living in the Capehart and Enterprise housing areas along with occupants of the RV park were ordered to relocate for their safety, following an announcement by Navy Capt. Joseph Torres, the commanding officer of NSA Mid-South, this according to Action News 5.
With water levels fast approaching dangerous highs, Torres made the call for evacuation, as base officials warned the waters were predicted to potentially top the levee overnight, which could bring about a repeat of the May 2010 flooding situation where persistent rains pushed levees beyond their limits, concerns that were relayed in a post on the base's official Facebook page and also mentioned in a report by Local Memphis.
The evacuations are a precautionary measure meant to mitigate risk to life and property; local Millington officials have confirmed that there is currently no break in the levee, as reported by WREG. NSA Mid-South has recommended that those evacuated seek hotels or alternative accommodations as close to the base as possible, with a particular concession that RV residents are permitted to park at the designated area N82.
If the base avoids flooding, the idea is for it to reopen, and for normal operations and the return of residents to commence the following day; this information came directly from base officials who assured the community through social media stating, "In the event the base is not flooded, the base will reopen and [residents] will be allowed to return tomorrow," according to Local Memphis.
