FLOODING IN COASTAL AREAS OF MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA, MAY 9-10, 1995 by D. Phil Turnipseed, W. Trent Baldwin, Lance M. Cooper, and Paul C. Floyd Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey April 1972 BULLETIN 72-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Flood of May 9-10, 1995 Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Flood Facts and Historical Comparison References FIGURES 1. Location of USGS streamflow gaging stations and lines of equal precipitation for the storm of May 8-10, 1995, in Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana. 2. Sand and mud deposited as a result of the flood of May 9-10, 1995, along the Jourdan River at Kiln, Mississippi (photo by J.D. Schwalm, The Clarion Ledger). 3. Annual peak discharges for the period of record at two USGS streamflow gaging stations and peak discharges for the flood of May 9-10, 1995. ABSTRACT Extreme weather conditions, which produced as much as 27.5 inches of rain during a 55-hour period from May 8-10, 1995, caused the most severe flooding in recent history along coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana (fig. 1). A resident near Biloxi, Missisippi, whose house had been under almost 4 feet of water said "This was a hurricane without the wind." Several streamflow-gaging stations used to measure water levels in streams and rivers in the area recorded the highest peak stages in the history of their operation. At least six people died and thousands more were left homeless as a result of the intense flooding. At least $3 billion in property damages were reported in New Orleans, Louisiana, alone, and millions more in damage were reported in the Gulf Coast counties in Mississippi and parishes in eastern Louisiana as a result of the storm (fig. 2; The Clarion-Ledger, 1995). LizardTech's Djvu plug-in is needed to view these reports. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT For questions or comments, contact K. Van Wilson.