The county courthouse still anchors the historic square at Commerce Street and U.S. 51, but much of the city is newer construction; housing units grew from about 2,700 in 2000 to more than 6,500 by 2020 as I-269 opened the area to Memphis commuters. DeSoto County has been named in seven federal major disaster declarations since 2000, including a 2011 flood and a 2026 winter storm.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral line for callers and does not perform restoration. Give us a call at (866) 937-3230 and we will try to find an independent restoration contractor who serves Hernando, depending on who is available nearby. Our how it works page lays out the steps.
Northern Mississippi weather: freezes, storms and flooding
At about 305 feet in elevation and only 25 miles from Memphis, Hernando gets a taste of the mid-South's winters. The average January low is near 30 degrees, snowfall averages close to 2 inches a year, and the record low is minus 12. DeSoto County was included in the 2026 severe winter storm declaration.
Rainfall averages about 56.5 inches. County declarations cover storms with tornadoes and flooding in 2001, a 2011 flooding disaster plus a separate 2011 severe storm outbreak, and storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2020. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ida in 2021 also reached far enough inland to prompt declarations here.
Burst pipes and newer-home leaks
With winters colder than the rest of the state, frozen pipes are one of the most common causes of water damage restoration calls in Hernando. Lines in garages, attics, exterior walls and unheated bonus rooms are vulnerable, and the damage often appears only after the thaw, when a split line starts spraying.
Newer subdivisions also see failures in PEX fittings, washing machine hoses, water heaters and upstairs bathrooms that leak into ceilings below. A typical contractor will shut off the source, extract water, set up drying equipment, take daily moisture readings and then repair. Thaw-related splits are explained on our burst pipe water damage page, and first-hour triage on emergency water removal.
Federal disaster declarations that included DeSoto County
FEMA records show DeSoto County was included in 7 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 2 hurricane, 1 winter storm, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Hernando was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4899)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4626)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4478)
- 2011 – Flooding (DR-1983)
- 2011 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (DR-1972)
- 2005 – Hurricane Katrina (DR-1604)
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 Hernando?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Hernando property.
Fire and smoke cleanup
Cold weather brings more fireplace, space heater and furnace use, and with it more house fires. In open-plan homes, smoke can spread through the whole house in minutes, coating walls, ceilings and HVAC ducts. Firefighting water then adds a second layer of damage.
Contractors usually secure the house, remove burned material, dry the structure, clean soot from surfaces and ductwork, and deodorize. Duct and wall residue is the focus of smoke damage cleanup, while debris and charring belong to fire damage cleanup.
Storm and flood cleanup in DeSoto County
Spring and fall storm lines can bring hail, straight-line winds and tornadoes, damaging roofs and toppling trees onto houses. Intense rain over newly developed land runs off quickly, and water can pool against foundations, in garages and in low yards.
Water that enters from outdoors is treated as contaminated; wet carpet, pad, drywall and insulation it reached are generally removed, and remaining surfaces are cleaned and dried. Roof tarping and tree removal come first. Hail and wind work is described under storm damage cleanup; pooled runoff indoors falls under flood cleanup.
Preventing mold after a leak
Even with cooler winters, Hernando summers are hot and humid, and a slow leak inside a wall or under a sink can grow mold within a couple of days. Look closely at drywall behind toilets and appliances, attic sheathing and carpet edges after any water event. Once growth spreads past roughly 10 square feet, EPA guidance leans toward hiring trained remediators instead of tackling it yourself. A reputable firm will contain the area, filter the air, remove what cannot be cleaned and fix the moisture problem; see mold removal.
Safety-first checklist for Hernando households
- Call 911 for fire, gas odor, injury or a ceiling that is sagging under water.
- Know where your main water shutoff is before winter, and close it as soon as a pipe bursts.
- Keep clear of downed power lines after storms and report them to your electric provider.
- Follow DeSoto County and National Weather Service warnings during severe weather.
- Document damage with photos and contact your insurer or agent; coverage depends on your policy, and flood usually requires separate coverage.
Call (866) 937-3230 for help finding a contractor, or view our Mississippi service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Hernando that callers often mention include:
- Court Square
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Hernando):
- Horn Lake · 9 mi
- Southaven · 11 mi
- Olive Branch · 13 mi
- Senatobia · 14 mi
- Germantown, TN · 21 mi
- Memphis, TN · 23 mi
Hernando restoration FAQs
Does Hernando get cold enough to freeze pipes?
Yes. The average January low is about 30 degrees, the record low is minus 12, and DeSoto County was part of the 2026 severe winter storm declaration. Insulate exposed lines and drip faucets during hard freezes.
What disasters has DeSoto County been declared for?
FEMA lists seven major declarations since 2000, including severe storms and flooding in 2001, flooding and severe storms in 2011, storms and tornadoes in 2020, Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, and a 2026 winter storm.
My newer home flooded from an upstairs bathroom. Can the ceiling be saved?
Sometimes. If the water was clean and drying begins quickly, drywall that has not sagged may be dried in place. Ceilings that are bulging or stained heavily are usually cut out and replaced after the space is dry.
Why does a burst pipe often show up after the freeze ends?
Ice inside the pipe can plug the split while it is frozen. When temperatures rise, the ice melts and water starts flowing through the crack. Check pipes and ceilings as soon as a cold snap breaks.
Is Fire & Water Energy located in DeSoto County?
No. We have no local office or employees. We try to connect callers with independent contractors who serve the area.
Restoration guides
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Emergency Water Removal
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal