Due to the short term effects of flooding, it is unlikely that flooding from a
storm would have a long term impact on the flying mission at Keesler AFB,
especially since Stennis International Airport is also utilized for Keesler AFB
military operations. Although flooding does occur around Stennis
International Airport along the Jourdan River, the frequency of flooding
event is not as great as on Keesler AFB; however, there are low‐lying areas
at the south end of the airport that have the potential to flood. Compatibility Assessment
After flooding events, it is possible that damage on the installation could
render portions of the installation temporarily inoperable, thus reducing the
overall days that the installation is in use. It is also a possibility that
operations and personnel can be reassigned to other installations or
temporarily suspended due to damage occurring on the installation. Keesler AFB has adopted standards for preparing for flooding events, having
experienced firsthand how weather events can affect the base during
Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Additionally, through an executive order,
Environmental Management (CEV) on Keesler AFB reviews on base projects
to ensure that new development and substantial renovations are
constructed above the 500‐year floodplain. During this hurricane,
approximately half of the installation experienced flooding due to storm
surge from the Back Bay of Biloxi, which approached 30 feet above normal
levels. Hurricane Katrina left the installation with more than $950 million in
damages, impacting housing, the Keesler Medical Center, the central energy
plant, and numerous other facilities.
Flooding also has many effects on the community including general
accessibility. Flooding can create barriers on roadways, constraining
transportation corridors, such as U.S. Highway 90. This is an issue for the
entire community, but also those who need access to Keesler AFB for work
or treatment at the Keesler Medical Facility. Though the Keesler Medical
Center has capability to run on emergency generators, impacts from
inundation have the potential to affect operations at the facility, which can
affect veterans, retirees, and other community members who rely on the
facility for essential medical care.
Protecting the installation and surrounding communities from flooding could
help to mitigate disruption to operations at Keesler AFB and ensure the
safety of military personnel and civilians on base. Actions must be taken at
the installation as well as the community to ensure that all stakeholders are
prepared for flooding events as the effects of flooding on the installation
and in the community, can affect one another.
Sources: Harrison County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2008; City of Biloxi Hazard
Mitigation Plan 2013‐2017
Page 5‐16
Both the cities of Biloxi and D’Iberville have Flood Damage Prevention
ordinances, which were last updated in 2006 and 2009 respectively, for
building construction within flood hazard areas based on the FEMA
floodplain maps. These ordinances and floodplain maps help to mitigate the
destruction and debris that can impact accessibility to Keesler AFB during
flood events.
After Hurricane Katrina, the installation took steps to mitigate the effects
that storms can have on the installation. To comply with the Federal Flood
Risk Management Standard, required by the President’s Climate Action Plan
and Executive Order 13690, Keesler AFB addressed increased risk from
weather events, including flooding. Such improvements after Hurricane
Katrina included raising and / or replacing buildings to higher ground, or
deciding not to rebuild in place in certain flood zones, and mitigating key
facilities on base. One such example was the housing on the east side of the
installation and at Harrison Court. Improvements to housing on base
included rebuilding with a finished floor elevation of 18 feet above sea level
(ASL) – two feet higher than FEMA’s recommendation; elevating most
housing, except for ADA homes, to two stories; and constructing homes to
withstand windspeeds up to 140 miles per hour (mph). Additionally, the
Base Exchange / Commissary was rebuilt with 2 to 3 feet of freeboard, a
Background Report