City sees record 22 inches of rain from Isaac

PICAYUNE — Officials say 22 inches of rain has fallen in Picayune over a three-day period from Hurricane Isaac.

City engineer Brooks Wallace tells the Picayune Item the rain unleashed by Isaac was the heaviest downpours ever recorded in city. Rain began late last Tuesday and ended early last Friday.

Perhaps the hardest-hit area was in west Picayune. Many homes were flooded up to the eaves, and some residents had to be rescued by boat.

Bay Branch inundated some homes in east Picayune. Some residents who have lived in the area for decades say this is the highest they had ever seen floodwaters rise, and the fastest.

Officials say most homes along the Pearl River are accessible only by boat. It might be a week before those residents can reach their homes.