Regional Climate Impacts
The JLUS Study Area encompasses land area proximate to the Gulf of Mexico,
and like many cities and counties that are located on the coast is susceptible
to the effects of storms. Coastal cities can have a chain reaction, affecting
inland jurisdictions as well. Hurricane season for the Gulf Coast occurs June
through November.
The City of D’Iberville operates under a Council‐Manager government system.
The City Manager is appointed by the City and the Mayor is elected at large.
The city is served by a five member city council, one for each of the four
districts and one councilman‐at‐large. The City has a Planning Commission
which recommends the approval of variances, conditional use permits, site
plan reviews, rezonings and amendments to the zoning ordinance to the City
Council. There are currently seven appointed commissioners, with two
commissioners for each ward, except for Ward 2, which has one
commissioner.
Harrison County is one of three counties in Mississippi that border the Gulf
Coast, making cities and census designated places in the county susceptible to
climate variability impacts. The elevation in the county ranges from sea level
to 250 feet above sea level. Within the county are multiple hydrological
features, such as the Biloxi River, Little Biloxi River, Tchoutacabouffa River, and
the Wolf River. Many of these hydrological systems are interconnected,
increasing the effects of flooding throughout the county.
Source: http://diberville.ms.us/
Within the 2008 Harrison County Hazard Mitigation Plan, hurricanes and
tropical storms were identified as a significant hazard, citing 36 hurricanes and
33 tropical storms that have come within 75 miles of the county from 1851 to
2007. With 26 miles of sand beach in the county, coastal erosion is another
hazard identified as significant to address in the plan. Historically, the county
has experienced unpredictable shifts in coastal erosion and growth, which has
resulted in changes in the shoreline. Flooding is another prominent natural
hazard, which has resulted in freshwater flood events from 1993 to 2007.
Other climatic impacts include storm surge and wave action.
Harrison County adopted the 2008 Hazard Mitigation plan, which outlines
mitigation strategies, in the form of policies or projects that reduce hazard
risks. The plan identifies implementation mechanisms as well as the agency or
department responsible for implementation.
According to the 2013‐2014 City of Biloxi Hazard Mitigation Plan, coastal
storms and storm surge are classified as critical natural hazards with a high
probability of occurrence. Flooding is also classified as a critical hazard, but
with a medium probability of occurrence. Coastal storms, such as hurricanes
The new D’Iberville City Hall replaced the previous City Hall after Hurricane Katrina
Background Report
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