Government officials opened several water distribution “supersites” in areas that continue to be impacted by the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, on Thursday, September 1, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MSEMA).

On Monday, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba declared a water system emergency due to complications from the Pearl River flooding that occurred last week. However, the aging water system has been experiencing disruptions for years, local reports said.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden approved Mississippi’s Emergency Declaration and ordered federal assistance to aid in response efforts.

Video posted by MSEMA, which they said was taken on Wednesday, shows pallets of bottled water being loaded into trucks at the State Emergency Logistics Center in Byram. MSEMA said it will distribute bottled water, bulk non-potable water, and hand sanitizer at several schools, the state fairgrounds, and a mall in Jackson.

Thursday, the City of Jackson reported “continued progress” while working to restore water pressure, but did not offer an estimated time for when they expect the water system to be functional. Credit: Mississippi Emergency Management Agency via Storyful

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