POST DISASTER REPORT ON APRIL 1974 FLOODS IN MISSISSIPPI IN THE MOBILE DISTRICT Prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District May 1975 TABLE OF CONTENTS Authority, Purpose, and Scope Summary, History and Description of the Flood     General     Description of Basin Areas Subject to Flooding     Pearl River Basin     Pascagoula River System Watershed Meteorlogic and Hydrologic Data on the Flood     Rainfall data     Isohyetal map     Mass curves     Flood peaks     Discharge hydrographs     Flood volume data Emergency Activities     General     Disaster recovery organizations and operations     Disaster recovery communication system     Operation of existing Corps Reservoir Projects and their effects downstream     Post-disaster recovery operations (Corps of Engineers)     Damages prevented by existing Corps projects     Damages prevented by other authorized projects     Damages to existing projects     Description of estimate of damages     Enrivonmental assessment TABLES 1. Daily Precipitation and Storm Totals for Selected Stations in Pearl River Basin, Mississippi 2. Daily Precipitation and Storm Totals for Selected Stations in Pascagoula River Basin, Mississippi 3. Maximum floods in Pearl River Basin 4. Maximum floods in Pascagoula River Basin 5. Flood Volume for Leaf River near Collins, MS 6. Flood Volume for Bowie River near Hattiesburg, MS 7. Flood Volume for Leaf River near Hattiesburg, MS 8. Flood Damages Prevented by Corps of Engineers' Flood Control Projects 9. Extent of area inundated along the main streams and principal tributaries 10. Urban areas affected by the flood 11. Summary of damages along the main streams and principal tributaries PLATES 1. Vicinity Map 2. Pearl River Basin 3. Pascagoula River Basin 4. Isohyetal Map 5. Mass Curves of Rainfall at Selected Recording Precipitation Stations 6. Discharge Hydrograph Pearl River at Jackson, MS 7. Discharge Hydrograph Leaf River near Collins, MS 8. Discharge Hydrograph Bowie Creek near Hattiesburg, MS 9. Discharge Hydrograph Leaf River near Hattiesburg, MS 10. Discharge Hydrograph Leaf River near McLain, MS 11. Typical News Releases 12. Typical News Releases 13. Typical News Releases 14. Typical scene in residential section of Hattiesburg, MS 15. Aerial view of flooding in southeast portion of Hattiesburg, MS 16. Aerial view of flooding looking west at the intersection of U.S. Highway 11 and the Leaf River ABSTRACT Light rains began falling over parts of central and southeast Mississippi on April 1, 1974, and continued falling intermittently over the next nine days. Rainfall amounts over this period amounted to over two and one half inches in some places, with an average of an inch or more over the entire area. On Friday, April 12, the rains increased in intensity to a heavy downpour and continued for four days. Rainfall totals for the storm were exceptionally heavy, with amounts ranging from five to over twenty inches in the southern part of the state. Excessive runoff from the flood-producing rains caused many of the rivers and tributary streams in the Pearl and Pascagoula River Basins to rise rapidly. MDO first became aware of the possibility of an upcoming flood on April 12 when the National Weather Service released radar reports noting exceptionally heavy precipitation throughout Mississippi. Later in the day, flash flood watches were also initiated for several rivers and streams by the Weather Service. On the morning of April 13, the flood warnings were expanded to cover most of the streams and rivers in the Pearl and Pascagoula River Basins. Severe flooding caused record or near record stages to be set at a number of gaging stations in the two river basins affected by the rains. The Pearl River registered a record high of 26.7 feet at Edinburg, Mississippi, on April 15, exceeding the 1960 stage by 0.1 foot. At Jackson, the river crested at 34.4 feet, while downstream, Monticello registered a new high of 32.3 feet and Columbia exceeded its previous high mark with 27.2 feet. Shubuta, Mississippi, recorded a stage of 41.6 feet, the highest recorded since December 1919 floods. Tallahala Creek overflowed its banks and forced many residents at Laurel to be evacuated before the river crested at 23.3 feet on April 14. The Leaf River flooded throughout its entire length, with a new high of 34.0 feet recorded at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on April 19, the highest stage recorded since 1961 floods. A peak height of 28.3 feet was reached on the Pascagoula River at Merrill, Mississippi, on April 19. Floodwaters receded rapidly after April 20, enabling cleanup operations to get underway in the flood-affected areas. The April 1974 floods in Mississippi were the worst that have occurred since 1961. Over 6,000 people were evacuated in Hattiesburg and Forrest County alone. In Jones County, 2,000 people were evacuated from the city of Laurel and surrounding area. Another 1,000 people were evacuated in Marion County, with lesser amounts from the smaller communities. A total of eight deaths were reported as a result of the flood. Prompt action by responsible officials and all concerned held the loss of life to a minimum. Estimates of the monetary damages caused by the flood-producing rains are presented in Section IV of this report. 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.