The Mississippi River should return to flood stage by the first part of February, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman said.

“Based on the projections we’ve seen by the National Weather Service, the river should be back at flood stage — 43 feet — by the first or second of February,” said Greg Raimondo, public affairs chief for the district. The prediction comes as the Mississippi crested Friday at 50.23 feet.

“The river first crested at 8 a.m.,” Raimondo said, adding it will stay at the 50-foot level over the weekend.

“It will fluctuate around 50.2 during that period,” he said.

An estimate of the river’s levels over the next 10 days, based on Weather Service and Corps projections, indicates the Mississippi will remain in the area of 50 feet through Tuesday before beginning a gradual fall to 48.9 feet by Jan. 24.

Raimondo’s comments came after a meeting of the city’s High Water Response Team Committee, which was disbanded Friday until the spring by Mayor George Flaggs Jr.

“I’m happy to be where we are,” Flaggs said. “The (river) stage is going down. Everything is in its final stages. I don’t see any need to continue meeting at this point. We’ll convene again in the spring if needed. Everyone has done a very good job.”

But other flood-related issues still need to be addressed.

City landscaping director Jeff Richardson said a decision when to remove the remaining section of the flood wall blocking Levee Street will be discussed Jan. 19, and Flaggs said Vicksburg Main Street and the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau should remain in temporary offices at the City Hall Annex through the spring as a precaution in case the city is hit by a spring flood.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to move back in to the (Yazoo and Mississippi Valley) depot only to have to move out again 4 to 5 months later,” Flaggs said.

Also, the mayor said, the state has not filed a disaster declaration, which would allow the city to get reimbursed for its expenses during the flood. City Accounting Director Doug Whittington said the city so far has spent an estimated $58,155 on supplies. He did not have an amount on overtime paid to police and city employees.

Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer said a total of 75 county and 42 city residents had been displaced by the flood as of Friday.

“We had requests for help from 20 residents, and we were able to help them through non-profit organizations and churches,” he said.

Flaggs said his office has received requests from some displaced resident for assistance with food.

The Rev. Dexter Jones, pastor of Triumphant Baptist Church, said the church’s food bank will have food available the first part of the week at its Larry Nicks Outreach center at 20 Scenic Drive. People needing help with food can call the church at 601-634-4788.

In a related matter, Police Chief Walter Armstrong said his department will continue to maintain its two posts in Ford Subdivision and the Kings community even after the waters recede.

“I know people will want to go to their homes after the water goes down, but we’re asking them to wait until the streets are in good condition for vehicles,” he said. “We want to wait until the city has checked them before we open them.” No specific time was given when the streets would be open.

Public Works Director Garnet Van Norman said city crews will get into the flooded areas once the water leaves to remove debris and make sure the roads are safe. North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said city crews will also be looking for gas line and waterline leaks that may have occurred while the areas were underwater.

In other action:

• Victor Gray-Lewis said residents whose homes took on water will have to be inspected by the city before power can be restored to the building.

•  Sheriff Martin Pace said police and sheriff’s deputies have not had any major calls involving crime in the flooded areas. He said his department will continue to work with police and continue boat patrols in the flooded areas.