As heavy rains continued to fall across Pearl River County, the Board of Supervisors gathered to discuss the effects of the storm, among other matters.

Pearl River County Emergency Management Director Danny Manley said that as of Wednesday morning, three to six inches of rain had already fallen in the county as a result of Tropical Storm Cindy, mostly in the south end, and he expected that number to double in the next 24 hours.

The heaviest rainfall occurred between 5:30 and 6 that morning, he said, and caused a few vehicle accidents and spotty power outages in the county.

Manley said the roads are also taking a beating, as a result of the rain, causing potholes to become larger.

Tornado warnings have also been issued through emergency notification systems on resident’s cell phones due to waterspouts being spotted on the Gulf, Manley said.

He said residents could expect those warnings to continue.

Thankfully, Manley said, rising water levels have not encroached any homes in the county so far. Drainage systems in the south end of the county are inundated with water, he said.

Manley also said that he doesn’t expect issues from the rising water levels in county creeks and rivers.

Sandbags are available at the Nicholson Volunteer Fire Station 1 on Highway 11, at the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department on Liberty Road and at the Emergency Operations Center in Poplarville.

In a separate matter, the Board approved a request from Mark Gibson to extend Clear Sky Drive in the North Hill Subdivision about 100 feet to add a cul-de-sac and three new lots.

Gibson said he hoped the work would curb mudriders, who have previously torn down fences in attempts to enter the woods through that area.

The Board approved the extension of the road pending approval of the final plans and sale of the lots.

Gibson spoke to the Board about another development matter, a seven-lot subdivision off George Wise Road in Carriere.

Trace Subdivision would be built on 39 acres of land with an average lot size of 5.5 acres accessible by private roads, he said.

Public hearings have already been held concerning the development, County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said.

The Board approved the request and asked Gibson about a senior retirement community he is planning in Nicholson.

Gibson said the project is in the infrastructure phase and is almost ready for construction.

He also discussed plans to eventually build cottages on 280 acres of land he owns in the county.

In other matters, the Board:

-Approved payment for the addition of shutters at the County Courthouse at a cost of about $500 a piece. District IV Supervisor said the shutters were to prevent a security issue in the jury room and judge’s chamber.

– Approved a change order and payment for the completed hospital drainage project.

– Approved closing documents for the Highland Commons Parkway projected, funded by a $5 million Community Development Block Grant.

Information on other matters discussed during Wednesday’s meeting, including proposals for two courthouse annex buildings, a property tax exemption and county engineering projects, will be published in the Item at a later date.