Louisiana, Mississippi officials watching river rise

A man walks through floodwaters from Caddo Lake in Mooringsport, La., Sunday, March 13, 2016. President Barack Obama has signed an order declaring Louisiana's widespread flooding from heavy rains a major disaster. (Lee Celano/The Shreveport Times via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT SHREVEPORTTIMES.COM; NO SALES A man walks through floodwaters from Caddo Lake in Mooringsport, La., Sunday, March 13, 2016. President Barack Obama has signed an order declaring Louisiana's widespread flooding from heavy rains a major disaster. (Lee Celano/The Shreveport Times via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT SHREVEPORTTIMES.COM; NO SALES

By Associated Press March 14, 2016 3 min read

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Emergency officials in Louisiana and Mississippi were watching the rise of the Pearl River which divides the two states Monday amid widespread flooding that has damaged thousands of homes.

The National Weather Service predicts the Pearl River could reach 21 feet by Monday afternoon – the height of the 1983 flood. This could mean 100 to 200 homes could take on water around Pearlington, Mississippi.

At least four deaths have been reported in Louisiana amid the flooding that began last week, and the National Guard has rescued nearly 3,300 residents. Two fishermen have been missing for days in Mississippi.

Flooding was expected to extend to Mississippi 604, Hancock County Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Adam said.

In Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish officials said the town of Pearl River in the eastern part of the parish was already seeing some flooding in one neighborhood.