Quick flood Links

The City of Waveland is naturally subject to slow rise and storm surge flooding from the Mississippi sound during hurricanes. Long slow rains or heavy quick rains have the potential to cause natural and man made drainages to exceed capacity, thereby subjecting areas of the city to possible flooding during and after heavy rains. Damage to property and loss of life are possible results of flooding in our area. The following major flood producing storms have affected the city of Waveland:

1909 Tides of 8 to 12 feet above sea level

1915 High water elevations of 11.8 feet above sea level.

1947 High water to 15 feet above sea level

1965 Hurricane Betsy, tides to about 12 feet above sea level.

1969 Hurricane Camille, tides 18+ feet above sea level.

1979 Hurricane Bob, tides 6.25 feet above sea level

1985 Hurricane Juan, flash flooding from seven inches of rainfall and coastal flooding.

1998 Hurricane Georges, flash flooding from rainfall on coastal Mississippi.

2005 Hurricane Katrina, 28+ feet storm surge

The chances of hurricanes and tropical storms are most prevalent from June 1 through November 30. The months of greatest risk are August and September. Winter and spring storms can also bring high winds and heavy rains that nay cause flooding from overworked drainage canals and waterways. City maps are available, upon request from the code enforcement dept. showing all lands in the flood hazard areas subject to flooding. Waveland code enforcement dept. 466-2549 or the Waveland fire dept. 467-6154

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The force of flood waters is easily underestimated. Considering the destructive forces involved, the residents in the Special Flood Hazard areas should follow the recommendations listed below to decrease the potential of injury due to flooding.

Do not walk through flooding water. Drowning Is the number one cause of flood deaths. Currents can

Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else

Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electric current can travel through water

Turn off electric circuits and disconnect switches. Have your electricity turned off by the power company

Shut off gas valves on your property. Be alert for gas leaks. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns ,or open

Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles

and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.

If your property is located on the waterfront or in areas prone to flooding, plan to leave!!!

Delaying departure can result in being cut off from evacuation routes by rising water.

The National Weather Service along with the Hancock Civil Defense and the City of Waveland provide flood warning and evacuation data to local (WLOX), regional ( WDSU,WWL,WVUE)and National ( The Weather Channel) television stations as well as radio stations (WBSL, WQID, WVMI,WGCM, WWL) and the citizens of Waveland. Waveland Police and Fire Departments will also provide door to door warnings to those areas threatened by flooding. Residents located in the SFHA should be prepared to move to a place of safety. When a hurricane threatens, evacuation is ordered in areas expected to flood. Evacuation routes have been mapped and include routes north of the coast. Among the evacuation routes are Highways 43, I-59, 607,603, and 53. The City of Waveland in conjunction with Hancock County Civil Defense will announce emergency shelters designated to house residents displaced in the event of a hurricane or flood. The phone numbers listed below are sources for more detailed information.

Official Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) offer details of the flood hazard and are available for review at the Code Enforcement Office at City Hall on Coleman Ave. for answers to questions about flood hazards in your area. To review Flood Insurance Rate Maps or for advice about construction in floodprone areas, contact the Building Official at 228-466-2549.

Waveland maintains a storm drainage system throughout the city and keeps all ditches, streams and channels as clean as possible to ensure that they operate efficiently. Debris, even leaves and grass clippings, in ditches and streams may obstruct the flow of water and cause overflow onto streets and yards. The City’s Ordinance No. 308 makes it illegal to take any action that will impede the flow of water in ditches and waterways.

Every year, flooding in the United States causes more property damage than any other type of natural disaster. While recent improvements in construction practices and regulations have made new homes less prone to flood damage, there are a significant number of existing homes susceptible to flood loses. The flooding to these properties can be minimized through temporary and permanent retrofitting techniques.

One approach is to keep water away from your house by constructing a floodwall or earthen berm. These methods are accepted if you have a large lot, if the flooding isn’t too deep and if your property is not in the floodway. Check with the City Code Enforcement Department.

Another approach is to waterproof your walls and place watertight closures over the doorways. This method should not be used on homes with basements or if water will get over twofeet deep.

A third approach is raise your house above the flood level.Mesures to protect a property from flood damage include retrofitting , grading a yard, correcting local drainage problems, and such emergency measures as moving furniture and sandbagging.

The City of Waveland provides public information to assist residents with flood protection. The Code Enforcement Department of the City offers the following services within the incorporated areas of the city.* information determining if a property is flood prone, Including flood elevations or depths; and data on the history of flooding where available.

Site visits to advise property owners on appropriate flood protection measures in addition, the Code enforcement department of the City Of Waveland reviews and critiques retrofitting plans for flood prone buildings. For any help with the above mentioned services for information, contact the Waveland Code Enforcement Department

The City Of Waveland has adopted regulations and permit procedures to control development in flood hazard areas. The regulations require that new buildings be elevated 2 ft, above the base flood elevation. If additions, remodeling or repair to an existing structure equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value the entire structure must be elevated 2 ft. above the base flood elevation. Persons planning to build in a flood hazard area must consult with the building official prior to beginning any construction. Filling or excavating on the property. If you suspect that construction, filling or excavating is taking place in the special flood hazard area without city permits, please contact the Waveland Code Enforcement office. 301 Coleman Ave, Waveland, Mississippi 39576 or phone 466-2549. The substantial improvement/damage requirements: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building. Substantially damage buildings must also be brought up to the same standards ( e.g., a residence damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s value before it was damaged must be elevated 2’ above the base flood elevation).

Standard Homeowners Insurance Policies may not cover damage caused by flooding. Policies are available covering damages from wind, fire, theft and other special hazards. A separate policy is required to cover damage caused by surface water flooding. Flood insurance is available for any piece of property located in the City of Waveland. There is typically a thirty day waiting period for new flood insurance policies to take effect. Thoseresidents who apply for insurance or renew their policy will receive a premium discount because of Waveland’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information please contact a local insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-888-call-flood ext. 445

The important functions of the wetlands in and around the City of Waveland include acting as a filter for pollutants, trapping sediments and toxicants from flood waters. Also wetlands are vital for nursing Shrimp, blue crab, oysters, redfish, speckled trout and various other finfish species.

A-Zone –Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100 year flood. Base flood elevations are determined. Ordinances for Construction in these areas require that a building be built 2 foot above the base flood elevation.