Residents of Tchula, located in the state’s poorest county, Holmes County, have been affected by Tchula Lake’s recent flooding. Although some residents’ lives and homes are in serious danger, officials have not declared the area as a disaster zone. Here are images from the area and the faces of the people dealing with the flood experience.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
John Knight takes a photo of the flooding in Tchula during the Mississippi Chapter of Poor People's Campaign poverty tour Saturday, March 23, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Flood water surrounds a home in Tchula, Miss. Saturday, March 23, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Cody Washington is photographed in Tchula, Miss. during the Mississippi Chapter of Poor People's Campaign poverty tour Saturday, March 23, 2019. "Poverty is a serious issue here, and something needs to change soon," said Washington.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Geneva Williams sits on her porch in Tchula, Miss. Saturday, March 23, 2019. Residents in the Tchula, one of the poorest cities in the state, have been affected by the recent flooding in the Delta.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Mobile homes near East Main Street in Tchula, Miss., Saturday, March 23, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
A water mark is seen on a mobile home as a result of the flooding in Tchula, Miss.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Jennie Jefferson expresses emotion as she talks about the recent flooding near her home and the damage it caused to her car in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019. Jefferson is still making payments on her car, but she is unable to afford repairs.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Jennie Jefferson's car, which was damaged by the flooding, is photographed in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Flooding in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Flood waters from Tchula Lake, seen directly behind Jennie Jefferson's home, has risen due to heavy rainfall.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Jennie Jefferson stands near her car, which was damaged by the flooding, in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019. Jefferson is still making payments on her car, but she is unable to afford repairs.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Dorothy Robertson photographed inside of her home in Tchula, Miss. Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Dorothy Robertson is photographed inside of her home in Tchula, Miss. Thursday, May 9, 2019. Robertson had some damage to her home due to the flooding. She has also had to deal with snakes near her home where her young grandson lives.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Tchula is located in the among the poorest counties in Mississippi, Holmes County. The flooding of Tchula Lake have worsened living conditions for some residents in the town.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Jacqueline Fisher stands her granddaughter Rihanna Barret, 2, as she remembers her experiences with the flooding in Tchula caused by Tchula Lake.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Two-year-old Rihanna Barret is photographed on the steps on her grandmother's home in Tchula, Miss. Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Mobile home that were affected by the flooding of Tchula Lake is seen in Tchula, Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Elizabeth Coats examines the conditions of her Tchula home May 9, 2019 following recent flooding. Clothing, purses, linens, newspapers, notebooks, toiletries, electronics and picture frames overwhelm every surface in her trailer, including a brown striped sectional. While recent floodwaters did not enter the inside of Coats’ dilapidated home, it looks like they could have.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Elizabeth Coats talks about her hardships due to the flooding in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Ella Mae Winters recalls her experiences with the flooding in Tchula and the assistance from emergency personnel that helped the residents of the small town.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
L.D. Miller is photographed in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019. Despite the conditions of the flooding due to the rise of Tchula Lake, Miller keeps an upbeat attitude and remains positive for his community.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Calvin Head, a farmer in Tchula, Miss., discusses how the recent flooding in the town has affected farmers in the area.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Geneva Williams looks out of the screen door as she sits on her front porch at her home in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Willie Tucker surveys the damage of a home that was severely damaged by the flooding in Tchula, Miss., in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Damage caused by the flooding of Tchula Lake is seen in a home in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Willie Tucker walks out of a home that was severely damaged by the flooding in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Quinton Harris, a farm laborer, is photographed in Tchula, Miss., after talking about the poor condition to the area, and how the flooding of Tchula Lake has worsened the conditions of the town's residents, Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Harriett Carter looks at the damage in her home that was caused by the flooding of Tchula Lake in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Geneva Williams sits on her porch in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019. Residents in the Tchula, one of the poorest cities in the state, have been affected by the recent flooding in the Delta.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Geneva Williams, right, listens as her son, Willie Tucker, talks about the difficulties residents are facing caused by the flooding in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Geneva Williams looks out of the screen door as she sits on her front porch at her home in Tchula, Miss., Thursday, May 9, 2019.