This census-designated place in western Jackson County grew from about 4,300 residents in 2000 to more than 6,700 in 2020, so a good share of its housing is relatively recent. It sits at roughly 72 feet, higher than the beachfront towns, with D'Iberville to the west and St. Martin to the south.
Fire & Water Energy connects callers with contractors; it does not do restoration itself. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to reach an independent restoration contractor who serves Latimer, depending on availability in the area. Our referral disclosure has the full explanation.
Hurricane winds in the Piney Woods north of Biloxi
Being a few miles inland reduces the surge threat, but it does not stop hurricane winds. Wikipedia says Jackson County was severely damaged by both Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2005, and the National Weather Service notes Katrina carried sustained winds near 120 mph along the Mississippi coast before pushing inland. In a wooded area like this, tall pines are a common cause of roof and structural damage.
FEMA records include the county in declarations for Tropical Storm Isidore (2002), Ivan (2004), Dennis and Katrina (2005), Gustav (2008), Isaac (2012), Nate (2017), Zeta (2020) and Ida (2021), plus storms with flooding and tornadoes in 2009 and 2023 and a winter storm in 2026.
Typical water damage in newer Latimer houses
Newer construction still leaks. Common culprits include loose fittings on PEX or supply lines, failed water heaters, overflowing AC drain pans in the long cooling season, and roof penetrations that let in wind-driven rain during tropical storms. The 2026 winter storm declaration is a reminder that pipes can freeze here too.
A water damage restoration job in Latimer will normally involve locating and stopping the leak, extracting water, removing materials that cannot be dried, and running dehumidifiers until readings are normal. Learn more about structural drying and ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Jackson County
FEMA records show Jackson County was included in 13 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (9 hurricane, 3 severe storm, 1 winter storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Latimer was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4899)
- 2023 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes. (DR-4727)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4626)
- 2020 – Hurricane Zeta (DR-4576)
- 2017 – Hurricane Nate (DR-4350)
- 2012 – Hurricane Isaac (DR-4081)
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 Latimer?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Latimer property.
Fire and smoke concerns near the forest
Homes next to national forest land sit close to a lot of fuel, and storm outages bring generators and candles into daily use. A fire inside the home spreads soot and odor through ducts and closets well beyond the damaged room.
Contractors usually secure the house, remove debris, dry out water used by firefighters, and then clean and deodorize. A portable generator belongs outside, several feet from any door or window. See smoke damage cleanup for a closer look at that work.
Fallen trees, roof damage and flood cleanup
After a tropical system, debris removal and tree work come first: a pine through the roof lets rain soak insulation, ceilings and floors until the opening is tarped. Heavy rain can also overwhelm ditches and bring runoff into garages and low rooms.
Water from outside counts as contaminated, so soaked drywall, carpet and insulation are commonly removed and the structure disinfected before drying. Our hurricane damage cleanup and storm water damage restoration pages explain each step.
Controlling mold after a leak or storm
Coastal humidity reaches inland, and wet materials in an attic or wall cavity can grow mold within 24 to 48 hours. Rooms left exposed after roof damage are especially vulnerable.
EPA guidance calls for a professional when mold covers more than about 10 square feet or the water was contaminated. A thorough contractor will set up containment and HEPA filtration and correct the moisture source. Read about mold remediation.
Steps to take before cleanup
- Call 911 for injuries, fire, gas leaks or lines down across the road.
- Follow Jackson County hurricane orders and wait for the all-clear before returning.
- Stay away from trees leaning on power lines or the house.
- Photograph damage from several angles and keep receipts for tarps and supplies.
- Contact your insurer or agent soon; coverage depends on your policy, and wind and flood are often separate on the coast.
When you are ready to find a contractor, call (866) 937-3230 or see our Mississippi page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Latimer):
- Gulf Hills · 7 mi
- D'Iberville · 8 mi
- Ocean Springs · 9 mi
- Biloxi · 10 mi
- Vancleave · 11 mi
- Gulf Park Estates · 12 mi
Latimer restoration FAQs
Is Latimer at risk from hurricane storm surge?
Latimer sits at about 72 feet and north of I-10, so it is higher than beachfront areas. Wind, falling trees and heavy rain are the bigger concerns here, but check your address on the FEMA flood map since low spots near creeks can still flood.
A pine fell on my roof. What should I do first?
Get everyone out of the affected rooms and call 911 if there are injuries, gas smells or downed lines. Once it is safe, document the damage and have the tree removed and the roof tarped before interior drying starts.
Why is my newer home getting water damage?
Even recent construction can have loose fittings, faulty water heaters or blocked AC drains. In a humid climate, a small leak that goes unnoticed for a few days can lead to mold behind walls.
Does Fire & Water Energy have workers in Latimer?
No. We are a referral line without crews or local offices. We try to connect callers with independent contractors serving Jackson County, and you choose whether to hire them.
Restoration guides
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Structural Drying
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation