New Grants Open to Lift Flood-Prone Coastal Homes

Bay St. Louis, MS · October 1, 2026

October opens with an easy salt breeze blowing off the water, just in time for an evening ribbon cutting along the marina. Grab an iced tea early, because the local calendar fills up quickly heading into the weekend.

The Lead

City officials are moving forward with a targeted push to secure FEMA Swift Current grant funds, aiming to help local property owners physically elevate flood-prone residences. Designed specifically to assist communities facing repetitive flood damage, the program provides between 75% and 100% in federal cost-share funding to jack qualifying structures up to two feet above the base flood elevation.

For coastal homeowners watching insurance premiums climb after every tropical squall, the financial protection could prove transformative. To participate, properties must carry an active National Flood Insurance Program policy and satisfy strict historical damage thresholds established by federal guidelines. Tetra Tech representatives outlined the application pipeline at a recent municipal workshop, warning that contractor capacity across the Coast is tightening quickly. Property owners eligible for repetitive-loss assistance can obtain paperwork and verify property qualification directly through the city planning department.

Local Pulse

Pearl River Bridges Slated for Major Replacement Transit State transportation officials scheduled a regional hearing to detail plans for replacing five aging highway crossings into the county.
Coastal Water Quality Advisories Lifted Across Beaches Health Environmental regulators cleared local shoreline stations for recreation after recent testing confirmed Gulf water bacteria levels remain safe.
City Council Finalizes Routine Dockets and Variances City Hall Municipal leaders cleared pending administrative claims and approved residential zoning recommendations ahead of next Tuesday's regular council session.

What's On Around Town

Today

Lava Lounge Happy Hour 100 Men Hall (303 Union St), 5:00–7:00 PM · Free Unwind with vinyl grooves, cold drinks, and complimentary appetizers.
Seafood Shack Ribbon Cutting Hollydeck Bar & Marina (711 Hollywood Blvd), 5:00–7:00 PM · Free Celebrate fresh waterfront dining with live music and harbor views.
Line Dancing with KK Stage Bar at Silver Slipper Casino (5000 South Beach Blvd), 7:00–9:00 PM · Free Jump into an energetic, beginner-friendly dance session right on the Gulf.

Tomorrow

Crafts and Conversation East Hancock Library (4184 Highway 53), Kiln, 1:00–3:00 PM · Free
Live Music: Razzoo Stage Bar at Silver Slipper Casino (5000 South Beach Blvd), 7:00–11:00 PM · Free

Saturday

Paw Fest & Volunteer Fair Bay St. Louis Historic Train Depot Grounds (1928 Depot Way), 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Free
Nosferatu with Live Score 100 Men Hall (303 Union St), 7:00 PM · $25
Live Music: Toni O. Band Stage Bar at Silver Slipper Casino (5000 South Beach Blvd), 7:00–11:00 PM · Free

Spotlight & Story

Shieldsboro Before 1875, mail arrived addressed to Shieldsborough, honoring Thomas Shields, who received a 1789 Spanish land grant along the coastal bluff. The state legislature officially renamed the town fifty-seven years after its incorporation, though the original title still anchors local deed abstracts.

Bay St. Louis Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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