Are YOU Prepared for Hurricane Season? 1 inch of flooding can result in $25,000+ of damage to your home. In the event of a hurricane, there are many things that can be done to protect your home, beginning with a flood insurance policy and knowledge of flood mitigation measures. Flood Safety Information The 2005 Hurricane season remains infamous to coastal residents due to the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. The Storm surges were unheard of prior to Katrina, and reshaped many of the properties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ocean Springs wants to ensure that all structures built within the City are built strong, safe, and in a manner that the same devastation does not occur once again. The Ocean Springs Building Department is available to help you accomplish these goals. Many areas in our community become inundated during heavy rain events, even those outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If you are interested in buying property or plan on doing any type of construction within the City limits of Ocean Springs, please call our office and ask about flood zone information, flood hazards, and financial assistance information from FEMA's ICC program, which covers various mitigation measures. Building in Floodzones The Building Department enforces the City's adopted Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, requiring an 18" freeboard above FEMA's 2009 Base Flood Elevation. Any structure within a Special Flood Hazard Area is required to follow special guidelines adopted by the City, which this department will help you navigate. Please contact our office for assistance with these specific structural guidelines, flood protection advice, or to schedule a one-on-one site visit at your property. Citizens may contact the Building Department to obtain information such as Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) flood zone and floodway locations, localized drainage problems that may not be in the floodplain, any known flood depths, Coastal A Zone or LIMWA information, historical flooding information and areas that should be protected because of their natural floodplain functions, like wetlands. Flood Damage Protection There are many ways to protect your property from flood damage, such as: * Correct sewer back up problems, * Maintain nearby streams, ditches, and storm drains so debris does not obstruct them, * Construct a berm or retaining wall to redirect drainage away from the home or building, * Wet floodproof portions of the building so water won't cause damage, * Dry floodproof the building so water cannot get into it, * Elevate damage-prone components, such as the furnace and air conditioning unit, * Elevate the building above the flood level, * Demolish the building or relocate it out of harm's way. National Flood Insurance Program The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) makes federally backed flood insurance available for all buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including the Gulf of Mexico flowing over its banks, a lake or ocean storm and local drainage problems. Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information. Now is the Time to Prepare The best time to prepare is before hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it's too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Ocean Springs Building Department is located at 1014 Porter Avenue and may be reached by calling (228) 875-6712. IPL0347998 Jun 21 2026