PEARL COUNTY, Miss. - The National Weather Service issued a notice encouraging residents in the area of Anker Lake to evacuate after a dam was compromised.

Officials issued the flash flood emergency after emergency officials reported a compromised dam. The dam is located immediately west of I-59, one mile north of Exit 10 (Carrier), in Anchor Lake Subdivision off Anchor Lake Road, the Pearl River County Office of Emergency Services said.

Those living near the dam, or along McNeil Steephollow Road South to West Union Road between I-59 and Ceasar Road, are encouraged to seek higher ground immediately. 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, around 7 p.m., determined that there were areas of erosion caused by recent heavy rainfall.

"MDEQ personnel will remain on site for the foreseeable future to continue monitoring conditions; however, they have expressed a high level of confidence in the dam’s structural integrity," the Pearl River County Office of Emergency Services said.