Yard drainage in the City of Hattiesburg
Drainage help across the Hub City, from older streets near Gordon's Creek to newer neighborhoods west of the interstate.
Hattiesburg had 48,730 residents at the 2020 census. It's the county seat of Forrest County, though a western slice of the city reaches into Lamar County, and it anchors the Pine Belt region. The city grew up where the Leaf and Bouie rivers meet, and the University of Southern Mississippi sits in the middle of town.
Gordon's Creek and the older neighborhoods
Most of downtown's stormwater runs into Gordon's Creek and from there into the Leaf River. Business owners along the creek have reported erosion, and residents in eastern Hattiesburg near Bouie Street have described flash flooding during heavy storms. The city has responded with detention projects, including a 2026 grant application for a pond near Camp Street and South 19th Avenue meant to hold water before it reaches the creek. If water reaching your lot comes from a public street or ditch, report it to the city first.
Codes and permits inside the city
The City of Hattiesburg enforces the 2018 International Residential Code and says a permit is generally required to repair or alter an existing house, with inspections before work is covered up. Its Department of Urban Development can tell you whether a drainage job needs one.
Typical city jobs
- Crawl space water under raised-floor homes near downtown and the university
- Replacing old, pine-straw-packed downspout lines
- Curtain drains on lots below a street or a neighbor's yard
- Channel drains at the bottom of sloped driveways
Common questions
Who handles drainage in public streets and ditches?
The City of Hattiesburg. Report street, ditch or creek problems to the city. Drainage on private property is the owner's responsibility.
Do you cover the parts of Hattiesburg in Lamar County?
Yes. Call with your address and we'll look for a contractor who works that side of town.
Services in Hattiesburg
- French drainsStone-and-pipe trenches that dry out soggy lawns and intercept water moving through the soil.
- Downspout drain linesBuried solid pipe that moves roof water away from the foundation to a safe outlet.
- Regrading and swalesReshape the ground so runoff moves around the house to a safe spot.
- Catch basins and channel drainsGrated drains that grab water at lawn low spots and across driveways and patios.
- Sump pumps and crawl space waterPump out water that collects under raised floors and fix what's feeding it.
Nearby areas
Back yard still squishy two days after the rain quit?
Call and a drainage contractor who works the Pine Belt will come see where the water collects and where it can safely go.