Roughly 5,400 people live in this I-20 city, which also hosts the ranger district offices for Bienville National Forest and several large poultry processing plants. The 2020 census counted 2,016 housing units inside the city's 13 square miles. Morton is about 11 miles away and Newton about 18.
Call (866) 937-3230 and Fire & Water Energy will try to link you with an independent contractor that handles water, fire or storm repairs around Forest. We make referrals only; we do not send workers, and no provider's availability is promised. Read the referral disclosure for details.
Tornadoes, ice and heavy rain in Scott County
Scott County appears in more than a dozen FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000. Several were spring severe weather events: storms, tornadoes and floods in 2003; the 2011 tornado and straight-line wind outbreak; a 2019 storm with flooding; a 2023 tornado declaration; and a 2024 event combining straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.
Winter matters here too. FEMA listed the county for severe winter storms in 2021 and again in 2026. Hurricanes reach this far inland as well, with declarations for Ivan (2004), Dennis and Katrina (2005), Isaac (2012) and Ida (2021).
Frozen lines, roof leaks and water damage repair in Forest
Central Mississippi homes are rarely built with deep freezes in mind, so pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces and attics can split during an ice storm like the ones in 2021 and 2026. The leak often shows up only after the thaw. Wind-lifted shingles and fallen limbs are the other big source of interior water during the spring storm season.
Water damage restoration in Forest usually follows a familiar sequence: stop the source, extract water, open wet cavities where needed and dry with dehumidifiers while logging moisture readings. Freeze-related leaks are covered on our burst pipe water damage page, and finish work on water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Scott County
FEMA records show Scott County was included in 14 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 severe storm, 5 hurricane, 1 winter storm, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Forest was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4899)
- 2024 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4790)
- 2023 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes. (DR-4727)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4626)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4598)
- 2019 – Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4470)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Forest?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Forest property.
When a fire leaves soot behind
Cold snaps push people toward space heaters and fireplaces, and ice-storm outages put portable generators to work. Each adds fire risk inside the house, alongside everyday causes such as unattended cooking and worn wiring.
Once firefighters clear the scene, a restoration contractor will normally secure the structure, haul out debris, dry areas soaked by hoses and then work room by room on soot and odor. Our smoke damage cleanup page explains how residue spreads through HVAC ducts.
Storm cleanup in pine country
The Bienville National Forest covers about 178,000 acres across Scott and three neighboring counties, and pine country means falling trees during tornadoes, straight-line winds and ice loading. A tree through a roof opens the home to every rain that follows until it is tarped.
Flooding listed in the 2019 and 2024 declarations is a reminder that heavy rain can also overwhelm ditches and low ground. Water entering from outdoors is considered contaminated, so porous materials it touched are generally removed. Tree-and-tarp work is described under storm damage cleanup; rising water under flood damage restoration.
Keeping mold out after a Mississippi leak
Long, humid summers mean drywall or subflooring that stays wet for more than a day or two can start growing mold. Crawlspaces under raised houses are a common hiding spot, especially after a pipe leak that ran unnoticed.
The EPA advises professional help when growth exceeds roughly 10 square feet, or when the water was dirty. Expect a contractor to contain the area, filter the air with HEPA equipment, remove what cannot be cleaned and address the moisture source. Details on mold removal.
What Forest residents should do first
- Get everyone out and call 911 if there is fire, smoke, a gas odor, injury or a power line down.
- Close the main water valve for any pipe break; know where it is before the next freeze.
- Stay clear of rooms with sagging ceilings or standing water near outlets.
- Photograph damage, save broken parts such as a split pipe fitting, and keep receipts.
- Talk to your insurance company or agent early, since coverage depends on your policy terms.
Ready to look for a contractor? Call (866) 937-3230 or visit our Mississippi page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Forest):
Forest restoration FAQs
How often do ice storms cause pipe breaks around Forest?
They are not yearly events, but FEMA declared severe winter storms for Scott County in both 2021 and 2026. Insulating exposed pipes and letting faucets drip during hard freezes lowers the chance of a split line.
What happens first when wind drops a pine onto the house?
Make sure no one is hurt and stay away from any downed power lines. The usual order is tree removal, a tarp over the opening, then drying the interior before repairs. Photograph everything before work starts for your insurance claim.
Can Gulf hurricanes reach a Scott County town?
Yes. FEMA included Scott County in declarations for Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Katrina, Isaac and Ida. Inland effects usually mean damaging wind gusts, downed trees and heavy rain rather than surge.
Is Fire & Water Energy a company located in Forest?
No. We have no office in Scott County and do not perform work. We try to connect callers with independent contractors who serve the area, and you choose whether to hire them.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Damage Repair
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal