The Hub City sits about 75 miles inland, yet Hurricane Katrina in 2005 left roughly 10,000 structures here with major damage and blocked most city roads with fallen trees. Since 2000, Forrest County has appeared in 12 federal major disaster declarations, from Hurricane Ivan through the severe winter storm of 2026.
We don't do the repair work ourselves: Fire & Water Energy runs a referral line. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we will try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor that works in Hattiesburg; availability depends on the providers in the area. The how it works page and our referral disclosure explain the process.
Two rivers, fast creeks and Gulf storms
According to the city's floodplain office, the Leaf River and its tributaries, Gordon, Mixon, Burkett and Priest creeks, are the main flood sources. The last major river flood came on April 6, 1983, at a stage of 29.19 feet, and Mixon Creek produced severe flash floods in January and March 1999. Local floods tend to be short but sudden: water can climb two to three feet in an hour.
Rain is plentiful, averaging about 64 inches a year. Spring thunderstorms bring hail and tornadoes, including an EF4 on February 10, 2013, that damaged the southern University of Southern Mississippi campus and areas north of downtown, and an EF3 on January 21, 2017, that killed four people. Hard cold is uncommon, but the record low is -1°F and a December 2008 storm dropped several inches of snow nearby.
What usually soaks Hub City homes
About a quarter of property in the city lies in a special flood hazard area, and most of those buildings are older and low-lying. Beyond rising water, people looking for water damage restoration in Hattiesburg are often dealing with wind-driven rain through a damaged roof, a supply line that let go under a sink, or an air conditioner drain pan that overflowed during a humid summer.
Victorian-era houses in the Historic Neighborhood District can hide leaks in plaster walls and under wood floors. A typical contractor will extract standing water, measure moisture in framing and run dehumidifiers until readings return to normal. Related services: water damage restoration and structural drying.
Federal disaster declarations that included Forrest County
FEMA records show Forrest County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (6 hurricane, 3 severe storm, 1 winter storm, 1 tornado, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Hattiesburg was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4899)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4626)
- 2019 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornado (DR-4415)
- 2017 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4295)
- 2016 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4268)
- 2013 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4101)
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 Hattiesburg?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Hattiesburg property.
After a house fire: soot, odor and the 50% rule
Fire leaves more than charred rooms behind. Smoke travels through ductwork and closets, and the hose water needs drying just like a leak would. Restoration firms commonly board up openings, remove debris, clean soot from hard surfaces and treat lingering odor.
One local detail matters: under city floodplain rules, a building in a mapped flood area whose repair cost reaches half of its pre-damage value, from fire or any other cause, must be brought up to current flood standards. Check with the city building official before rebuilding. See fire damage restoration.
Cleaning up after Forrest County floods and tornadoes
Recent declarations covering the county include severe storms, flooding and a tornado in 2019 (DR-4415), storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds in 2017 (DR-4295), severe storms and flooding in 2016 (DR-4268) and Hurricane Ida in 2021 (DR-4626).
Creek and river water carries sewage and debris, so contractors generally remove soaked carpet, insulation and the lower section of drywall before drying and disinfecting. When trees come down on a roof, tarping and removal come first. Learn more about flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup.
Humid summers and mold growth
South Mississippi's hot, muggy months give mold everything it needs once drywall or subflooring stays damp for a day or two. Crawl spaces under older homes and walls behind slow leaks are frequent trouble spots.
The EPA suggests that an area larger than about 10 square feet, or any growth tied to contaminated floodwater, is a job for a professional. A sound remediation plan includes containment, removal of affected material and drying before anything is closed back up. See mold remediation.
First moves for Hattiesburg households
- Dial 911 for fire, injuries, gas odor or downed lines.
- Never drive or walk through moving water; local creeks rise quickly.
- Sign up for Hub Alerts to get city weather and emergency messages.
- Use the city's floodplain management page to look up your flood zone.
- Take photos before cleanup and save receipts. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood, so check with your agent about what your coverage includes.
Ready for help? Call (866) 937-3230, or browse Mississippi service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Hattiesburg that callers often mention include:
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Hattiesburg):
Hattiesburg restoration FAQs
How quickly can creeks flood in Hattiesburg?
The city notes that local flooding is usually short-lived but can rise two to three feet per hour and peak within about two hours. Mixon Creek caused serious flash floods twice in 1999. Move valuables up and leave early if water starts rising.
Is my home in a flood zone?
Roughly 25 percent of property in the city sits within a special flood hazard area, and some areas outside it still flash flood. The city's floodplain page links to its flood zone lookup map. Flood coverage is a separate policy from homeowners insurance.
Do hurricanes really affect a city this far inland?
Yes. Katrina caused major damage to about 10,000 structures and left some residents without power for up to two weeks. Forrest County was also included in federal declarations for Ivan, Dennis, Gustav, Isaac and Ida.
Does Fire & Water Energy send its own workers?
No. We are a referral service that tries to connect callers with independent contractors serving the area. Before hiring, ask about licensing, insurance and whether the crew follows IICRC standards.
Who can I ask about rebuilding a flood-damaged house?
The city's Planning Division and building official can advise on permits, elevation and floodproofing. A permit is required before repair work, grading or excavation in the city.
Restoration guides
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Structural Drying
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation