Jackson Mississippi Water Crisis Leaves Majority-Black City Without Safe Water

In late August 2022, Jackson, Mississippi's main water treatment plant failed amid flooding. The city — 82% Black and one of the poorest in the nation — lost water pressure for weeks, leaving 150,000 people unable to flush toilets, cook, or bathe. Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency. Federal officials noted the city's crumbling infrastructure had been neglected for decades and that repeated requests for state funding were denied by the Republican-controlled legislature. Commentators contrasted the delayed federal response with the rapid federal action following the East Palestine, OH train derailment in February 2023, a predominantly white community.