Mississippi River Satellite Photos: Before & After 2011 Floods In Memphis, Tennessee

The Mississippi River crested at nearly 48 feet on Tuesday in Memphis, Tennessee -- inches shy of the record set in 1937. As the massive surge of water works its way further south, residents in places like the Mississippi Delta are preparing for historic flooding.

On-the-ground photos of the floods along the Mississippi show the harrowing disaster locals are having to deal with up close. Now, shocking photos from NASA show the extent of the disaster seen on a much wider scale -- from space.

The images below show the Mississippi River before and after flooding around Memphis, Tennessee. Captured by the Thematic Mapper on NASA's Landsat 5 satellite, the photos show the river on both May 10, 2011 and April 21, 2010. Slide your mouse back and forth over the image below to compare before and after the recent flooding, and CLICK HERE to see what you can do to help relief efforts in Tennessee.

LOOK:

Interactive graphic by Mike Sparks.

Comments

[morris rc is here]

08:08 PM on 05/16/2011

GoNoles03, you and everyone like you are are missing the whole point. People who say "don't build in flood plains" really mean, "don't expect anyone to help you out when a flood occurs". I have lived in flood plains, earth quake zones, and hurricane areas. For every one of those, I have had the proper insurance. Which is exactly the problem, most people don't have or won't get flood insurance because they know Big Brother Government (aka FEMA) will come bail them out. That is really what I am sick of. Hey if you want to live in a flood plain, go for it. However, as far as I am concerned, you're on your own for getting money to clean it up. Don't get me wrong, I am all about helping my fellow human. But like the big guy above, I like to lend a hand to those who help themselves, not people who expect it.

[Mark Montgomery]

05:23 PM on 05/13/2011

Did Goldman Sachs short those people's properties? I bet they made a bundle.

[GoNoles03]

04:01 AM on 05/13/2011

Ah, La Nina ... I bet this hurricane season will be fun.

[Kenz300]

12:13 PM on 05/12/2011

Maybe we should not build in flood plains.

Wetlands are natures flood control areas. Too bad developers want to fill them in.

[GoNoles03]

03:56 AM on 05/13/2011

Well, then we shouldn't build in earthquake zones, or hurricane prone areas, or tornado alley, etc., etc.
People have to live somewhere.

[Bienville]

09:50 AM on 05/14/2011

Where are developers building in wetlands in the floodplain in the Delta?

If you look carefully at the photo at the top, and compare it to the same unflooded areas in Google Maps, you'll the flooded areas are between guide levees that the Corp built to enclose a floodway to be used when the River rises.

[wbcoc]

10:39 AM on 05/12/2011

I may not have been reading this map correctly, but it seems the current flood for the most part is within old flood areas. Keep screening the map and you will see it also.

[Greatest Darthfruit]

01:05 AM on 05/12/2011

awesome

[skatergrandpa]

12:44 AM on 05/12/2011

Satellite imagery of a flood plain. Big deal. Already knew this. Too many people have too short of world time span. It flooded before, it will flood again, (But maybe not in my lifetime!) Surprise, surprise. And in the meantime lets build houses, towns, businesses, etc. When will learn we can't beat Father Nature? Especially after adding all the extra moisture in the atmosphere due to increased CO2 levels. It's basic science kids. Learned it in high school back in the late 60's. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere can hold 5% more moisture. Storms concentrate this to 5-10 fold - we get stronger floods and hurricanes. No brainer needed.

[DenverWilliam]

11:21 PM on 05/11/2011

Be nice to send this water out west where its needed

[GoNoles03]

03:57 AM on 05/13/2011

Well, come and get it! :)

[jguy6297]

11:06 PM on 05/11/2011

I'm sorry, isn't living on a flood plain a bad idea? And the largest river in North America? People, its gonna flood, and you are not going to be able to stop it.

[cmcclarty]

12:14 AM on 05/12/2011

Whats the difference with this and living in a known earthquake zone?

[VPN]

01:10 PM on 05/12/2011

Splish splash and rock and roll.

[markvasquez]

12:29 AM on 05/12/2011

Why not avoid the coast because of tsunamis? Or the mountain areas because of earthquakes? The flatlands because of tornados?

Because those people (alot of farmers) live near the rivers - you have food to eat.

[athleteboy]

10:38 PM on 05/11/2011

Why is a small area in the middle top blurred out?

[ahzzz]

08:26 AM on 05/12/2011

I think that is a flooded wild life area not a blur.

[ssteve3844]

08:36 PM on 05/11/2011

hey bogey907..........i guess everyone is new orleans, memphis, st. louis, vicksburg, cairo,
etc. are all dumbasses for living where they do........guess everyone should have consulted you
before they decided to live somewhere................where do you live??? CALIFORNIA???

[Leon Engelun]

08:28 PM on 05/11/2011

Pakistan had floods and the US sent money and aid. How come Paisitan hasn't sent the US anything?

[paulthamec]

09:22 PM on 05/11/2011

They were to busy protectng bin laden

[Ms Liann]

10:46 PM on 05/11/2011

Because their flooded are still homeless?

[Bones Rhodes]

11:21 PM on 05/11/2011

Using logic and reasoned nuances is NOT allowed on these blogs: please refrain in the future.

[BluePhantom2]

07:22 PM on 05/11/2011

Proof positive that living by the water has consequenses? I know, Katrina got my house and everything I owned! The good news is it was just stuff that it got.

[OB-GYN]

09:23 PM on 05/11/2011

Stuff. As in "why do you need that stuff" a wise man twenty years my senior once asked.

Now I get it, then I didn't. Indeed, why do I need all my "stuff". So, I say it too my kids now.

Less is more. Life is circular.

:)

[Bogey907]

05:46 PM on 05/11/2011

These photos are conclusive evidence that the flood areas should never have been developed in the first place. They're FLOOD AREAS.

[Bienville]

06:06 PM on 05/11/2011

If you compare the flooded areas with the regular, unflooded Google Maps page, you'll see that most of the flooded areas are not developed.

[steve11407]

07:05 PM on 05/11/2011

You should have consulted for them 100 yrs ago.

[Deep Thinking Man]

05:32 PM on 05/11/2011

http://chamisa.freeshell.org/dam.htm#minnow

http://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/Dams/bsc02yogg.html

i've included 2 links on the effects of damming. they are both self-explanatory and will tell what good dams do...none, except make the rich, richer !!!!!...i urge you to check the links and to think of the consequences !!!!!!