Division Of Flood Control

Projects in Design

No projects in design at this time.

Projects Under Construction

No projects under construction at this time.

Projects Completed

Piping Brame Road
Trace Ridge Storm Drain
Pine Knoll Ditch
Lakeshore Ditch
Longmeadow Relief Channel

City of Ridgeland Flood Protection Information

Flooding in our city is caused by six sources:  Culley-Brashear Creek, School Creek, Beaver Creek, Purple Creek, White Oak Creek, and LaRue Creek.  Each of these creeks is subject to overtopping its banks during heavy storms causing flooding of two to six inches of water in the streets and yards.  Other areas in the city may also be subject to flash flooding from other sources. 

Floods are dangerous.  The water may appear to be moving slowly (three feet per second), but a flood two feet deep can knock a man off his feet and float a car.

Your property may be high enough that it has not flooded.  If you live in a floodplain, the odds are that someday your property will be damaged.  The Community Development Department keeps a copy of Elevation Certificates on houses built in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) which gives the 100-year base flood elevation and elevation of the house’s lowest floor.  You can obtain a copy of these by going to the Community Development Department at City Hall, 304 Highway 51. 

City Flood Services:  The first thing you should do is to check your flood hazard zone.  There are several ways to do this: 1) Visit the city’s Public Library located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and School Street.  Flood maps and flood protection references are available for your use.  2) You can review the information on the flood control pages of the City’s website.  3) Or, you can come by or call (601-853-2027) the Public Works Department at City Hall, located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Lake Harbor Drive, to see if you are in a mapped floodplain.  If your property is located in a floodplain or if you have had a flood, drainage or sewer backup problem, check out these sources of assistance.                                                    

What You Can Do:  Several of the city’s efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance.  Here is how you can help:

• Do not dump or throw anything into ditches or streams.  Dumping in our ditches and streams is a violation of the City of Ridgeland’s Ordinance 900013.  Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels.  A plugged channel cannot carry water and when it rains, the water has to go somewhere.  Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.

• If your property is next to a ditch or stream, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris.

• If you see dumping or debris in the ditches or streams, contact the Public Works Department at (601) 853-2027.

• Always check with the Community Development Department before you build on, alter, regrade, or fill your property.  A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties. 

• If you see building or filling without a city permit sign posted, contact the Community Development Department at (601) 856-3877. 

• Check out the following information on floodproofing, flood insurance and flood safety.

Floodproofing:  There are several different ways to protect a building from flood damage.  One way is keep the water away by regrading your lot or building a small floodwall or earthen berm.  These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is in not in the floodway.  The Public Works Department can provide this information.  Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways.  This method is not recommended for houses with basements or if water will get over two feet deep.  A third method is to raise the house above flood levels.

These methods are called floodproofing or retrofitting.  More information is available at the city’s Public Library.  Important note:  Any alteration to your building or land requires a permit from the Community Development Department.  Even regrading or filling in the floodplain requires a permit.

If you know a flood is coming, you should shut off the gas and electricity and move valuable contents upstairs.  It is unlikely that you will get much warning, so a detailed checklist prepared in advance would ensure that you don’t forget anything.

Flood Insurance:  If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent.  Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from floods.  However, because Ridgeland participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy.  This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded.  Some people are required to purchase flood insurance policies by the bank when they get a mortgage or home improvement loan. If you are covered, double check that the building coverage is adequate and make sure the contents are covered. Remember:  Even if the last flood missed you, the next flood could be worse.  Flood insurance covers all surface floods.

Flood Safety:

Do not walk through flowing water.  Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods.  Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.  If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there.

Do not drive through a flooded area.  More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.  Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.

Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.  The number two flood killer after drowning is electro-cution.  Electrical current can travel through water.  Report downed power lines to the Power Company.

Have your electricity turned off by the Power Company.  Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged.  Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.

Look out for animals, especially snakes.  Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours.  Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.

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.

Be alert for gas leaks.  Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.  Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

For more information on flood insurance, see FEMA's webpage that explains the basics of flood insurance, www.fema.gov/business/nfip/.

Storm Water Management

Mississippi has been blessed with abundant water resources, such as beautiful creeks, streams, rivers, estuaries, bays, and coastal waters. As our state continues to grow, we face challenges to maintain clean water bodies. One of the challenges is managing storm water runoff and reducing polluted runoff.

The following list is a collection of web site links containing information on storm water and general water quality.

EPA's Non Point Source Pollution Page

Non Point Source Kids Page

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Household Cleaning Products

Lawn Mulching for Homeowners

Non-Chemical Weed Control