JACKSON, Miss. (CNN) -- Central Mississippi is coping with flooding.
Last week, emergency officials forecast that the Pearl River would crest at 38 feet. On Monday, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced that the crest would not be as high as expected.
"It appears that the Pearl River is currently at 36.74 feet and that we believe that it is expected to be at or near its crest at this moment," said Gov. Reeves.
The lower crest doesn't mean the region escaped harm. Flooding is still widespread, especially near Highway 80.
"Discharges continue to decrease from the reservoir and the river has continued to fall. And on the Highway 80 gage, the good news is for Jackson right now is having that. But the water is moving downstream, producing significant flooding along the Pearl River from Simpson, Copiah Counties to Marion County," explained Marty Pope, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service.
Governor Tate said officials have conducted 16 search and rescue operations. He estimated hundreds of homes have flood damage.
More rain is expected this week.
