The 1979 Easter flood was among the most costly and devastating ever to occur in Mississippi, with $500-700 million in damages. This is equivalent to $1.62 billion in present day terms. It was the result of the Pearl River being overwhelmed by severe rain upstream. Floodwaters sent the Pearl 15 feet above flood stage. More than 17,000 people in the cities of Jackson, Flowood, Pearl, Richland and other communities were forced from their homes.