that s where we find nbc s ja t janua janet. as we can tell, the situation is dire. only getting worse. absolutely, thomas. this is the legendary beale street. better known as home to elvis blues clubs. it is part of the mighty mississippi river. the river at this point excuse me. is only usually about a half a mile wide. right now it is three miles across. the water keeps rising here. swamping neighborhoods and as i said, water continues to rise. with the maighty mississippi being swallowed by the hour, they are urging hold-outs to quickly gather what s important. then bussing them to hire ground and safety. getting it together. we have to go. reporter: evacuation centers have become sanctuaries. for those that made the heart wrenching decision to leave their homes. see heartbreaking in the