Gov. Phil Bryant, along with state and federal emergency officials and the National Guard, flew over flooded areas of Mississippi on Wednesday.“I can tell you the flooding is severe,” Bryant said. “There remains some 500,000 acres that are under water, and some 200,000 of it that is agricultural in nature.”The aerial tour allowed the governor and other officials to see the Mississippi River and backwater flooding in areas of the state. Farmers warn they will plant crops late or not at all. Residents evacuated hundreds of homes flooded or isolated by flooding.Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler confirmed Wednesday that his agency is taking a new look at building giant pumps in the Mississippi Delta.The Bush administration had killed the project in 2008, saying the pumps would cause "unacceptable" damage to wetlands and wildlife, and to the economy and recreation.Bryant said two months of ongoing flooding wouldn't have been as bad if the pumps had been built.Bryant said he was in Washington this week lobbying the Trump administration to revive the project.

Gov. Phil Bryant, along with state and federal emergency officials and the National Guard, flew over flooded areas of Mississippi on Wednesday.


“I can tell you the flooding is severe,” Bryant said. “There remains some 500,000 acres that are under water, and some 200,000 of it that is agricultural in nature.”

The aerial tour allowed the governor and other officials to see the Mississippi River and backwater flooding in areas of the state. Farmers warn they will plant crops late or not at all. Residents evacuated hundreds of homes flooded or isolated by flooding.

Environmental Protection Agency chief Andrew Wheeler confirmed Wednesday that his agency is taking a new look at building giant pumps in the Mississippi Delta.

The Bush administration had killed the project in 2008, saying the pumps would cause "unacceptable" damage to wetlands and wildlife, and to the economy and recreation.

Bryant said two months of ongoing flooding wouldn't have been as bad if the pumps had been built.

Bryant said he was in Washington this week lobbying the Trump administration to revive the project.