A City Built Where the Leaf and Bouie Rivers Meet
Hattiesburg grew up at the confluence of the Leaf and Bouie rivers, about 75 miles inland from the Gulf, and today it serves as the Forrest County seat with part of the city reaching into Lamar County. The city spans about 54.5 square miles at roughly 171 feet of elevation.
Elevation here does not mean low flood risk. According to the City of Hattiesburg, about 25 percent of property in the city lies in a FEMA special flood hazard area. The main sources are the Leaf River and its tributary creeks, including Gordon, Mixon, Burkett and Priest creeks, all within the Pascagoula River Basin. Some neighborhoods also see local flooding that has nothing to do with a river or creek.
How Fast Hattiesburg Creeks Can Rise
The city's floodplain office warns that floodwaters here can climb two to three feet per hour and reach their peak in two hours or less, sometimes with strong currents. That leaves very little time to react once water starts rising in a creek-side yard.
- April 6, 1983: The Leaf River reached a stage of 29.19 feet, causing more than $32 million in damage.
- January and March 1999: Flash floods struck the Mixon Creek basin with rainfall the city describes as having 500-year and 100-year frequencies.
If you live near one of these creeks, sign up for Hub Alerts by texting HBURG to 888-777, and move vehicles, valuables and important papers early rather than waiting to see water in the street. After the water drops, flood cleanup should be handled as contaminated-water work.
Tornadoes and Inland Hurricane Damage
Hattiesburg's location makes it vulnerable to wind as well as water. An EF4 tornado on February 10, 2013 caused widespread damage and injured more than 80 people. On January 21, 2017, an EF3 tornado took four lives, injured 20 and left some 10,000 people without power.
Hurricanes reach this far inland too. During Katrina in 2005, about 10,000 structures in Hattiesburg received major damage and an estimated 80 percent of city roads were blocked by fallen trees.
When wind tears off shingles or a tree comes through the roof, rain follows. Tarping, debris removal and drying are all part of storm damage cleanup, and the sooner the opening is closed, the less of the interior has to be replaced.
Steps for the First Hours
- Get out of rising water. Creek floods here can rise quickly. Leave low areas and never drive through moving water.
- Avoid shock hazards. Stay clear of wet outlets, panels and downed lines.
- Shut off the water at the main if the source is a pipe, fixture or appliance.
- Document before you clean. Photograph waterlines, damaged belongings and the source.
- Get help started. Call (888) 817-5061, day or night, to be connected with a local company offering emergency water extraction and drying.
For non-emergency city issues such as clogged drainage, use the city's Action Line at 601-545-4500.
Restoring Older Homes and Historic Districts
Hattiesburg has several historic districts, including the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District, the Oaks, Parkhaven and North Main Street historic districts, and the Hub City Historic District downtown. Older homes may have wood floors, plaster walls and crawlspaces, which hold and release moisture differently from newer slab homes.
Water damage restoration in Hattiesburg typically follows a clear sequence: inspection and moisture mapping, extraction, removal of materials that cannot be saved, then controlled structural drying with dehumidifiers and air movers, checked daily with meters. Repairs to drywall, flooring and trim come only after readings confirm the structure is dry.
Big repairs have rules. A building permit is needed for any development in the city, and in flood zones the city counts improvements cumulatively: work totaling 50 percent of a structure's fair market value within 10 years means the whole building must be brought into compliance. Call the Planning Division at 601-545-4599 before major rebuilding.
Mold Concerns Near Campus and Across Town
With about 64 inches of precipitation a year and long, humid summers, Hattiesburg gives mold plenty of chances. EPA guidance says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to keep growth from starting. If you rent out a house or apartment near the University of Southern Mississippi, ask tenants to report leaks right away and inspect units after heavy storms.
An industry roundup of state rules reports no Mississippi state license specifically for mold remediation, and none appears on the Mississippi State Board of Contractors' homepage. Ask a company about its training, such as IICRC certification, its insurance, how it will contain the work area, and whether it provides written moisture and clearance documentation. Learn more about mold removal.
Insurance, Flood Zones and Business Properties
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood, and business owners should check their commercial policies for the same gap. Flood protection requires a separate NFIP or private policy, and a new NFIP policy normally takes 30 days to begin. Because Hattiesburg participates in the NFIP Community Rating System, residents receive discounted flood insurance premiums. The city also posts historical FEMA flood maps on its floodplain management page.
Landlords, property managers and business owners face the same steps with more people involved: notify tenants, document every unit or suite, and keep the restoration company's drying reports. WaterQ cannot speak for an insurer, but you can call (888) 817-5061 for help with water damage repair in Hattiesburg for homes and commercial buildings alike. Nearby, Petal and Picayune have their own pages.
Hattiesburg Neighborhoods and Pine Belt Communities
The free WaterQ referral line connects callers across Hattiesburg and nearby Forrest, Lamar and Jones County communities with independent local restoration companies.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown Hattiesburg
- Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District
- Hub City Historic District
- North Main Street Historic District
- Oaks Historic District
- Parkhaven Historic District
- University of Southern Mississippi area
Nearby communities
Hattiesburg Water Damage FAQ
How much of Hattiesburg is in a flood zone?
The City of Hattiesburg says about 25 percent of property in the city lies within a FEMA special flood hazard area, mostly along the Leaf River and its tributary creeks.
Which creeks cause flooding in Hattiesburg?
The city names the Leaf River and its tributaries Gordon, Mixon, Burkett and Priest creeks. Mixon Creek saw major flash floods in January and March 1999.
What is the 50 percent rule for flood-damaged buildings in Hattiesburg?
If improvements to a structure in a flood zone add up to 50 percent of its fair market value within a 10-year period, the entire structure must be brought into floodplain compliance. Check with the Planning Division at 601-545-4599.
Does Mississippi license mold removal companies?
Mississippi does not appear to have a state license specifically for mold remediation, according to an industry roundup. Ask about training such as IICRC certification, insurance, containment and written clearance results.
Is WaterQ a Hattiesburg restoration contractor?
No. WaterQ is a free 24/7 referral service that connects you with an independent local restoration company, which does the inspection and work.
Local emergency and flood resources
Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Hattiesburg: