Flood Defense Review Aims to Keep Insurance Rates Down

Bay St. Louis, MS · October 19, 2026

A cool north breeze cleared out the weekend drizzle overnight, leaving crisp air and dry pavement for the start of the week.

The Lead

City officials and local neighborhood representatives on the newly formed Floodplain Management Planning Committee are preparing for their next working session this Wednesday at City Hall. The 12-member panel, confirmed by the City Council earlier this month, brings together municipal department heads, local builders, and resident stakeholders tasked with overhauling the community's coastal hazard mitigation plan through March 2027.

Beyond identifying stormwater choke points and prioritizing drainage projects across town, the committee’s work carries direct financial weight for local property owners. Maintaining rigorous, documented mitigation standards helps the municipality preserve and improve its score under FEMA’s Community Rating System, which knocks percentage points off mandatory flood insurance premiums for policyholders. Following an initial public survey assessing neighborhood drainage trouble spots, committee members will spend Wednesday morning weighing specific infrastructure defenses before drafting preliminary recommendations for the council to review in the spring.

Local Pulse

Council Gathers Tuesday on Routine Municipal Business City Hall Elected leaders meet tomorrow evening in council chambers to review upcoming public works claims and interagency agreements.
State Sets Up Seasonal Pier Monitoring Station Safety Marine patrol officers opened a harvest check station at Washington Street Pier as coastal oyster activity resumes.
PawFest Shifts to Wednesday at the Depot Community Organizers moved the animal rescue fundraiser to midweek, pairing pet adoptions with live music at the depot grounds.

What's On Around Town

Today

Community Blood Drive Kiln Library, Kiln, 1:00–4:00 PM · Free Donate a pint to help replenish regional hospital reserves this afternoon.
Early Literacy Adventures Bay St. Louis Library (312 US-90), 1:30 PM · Free Interactive stories, movement, and foundational reading games for young children.

Tomorrow

Zumba for You! Waveland Library (345 Coleman Ave), Waveland, 9:00–10:00 AM · Free
City Council Meeting Council Chambers (598 Main St), 5:30 PM · Free

Wednesday

Rotary Club Weekly Meeting Bay Waveland Yacht Club (666 N Beach Blvd), Noon–1:00 PM
PawFest at the Depot Historic L&N Train Depot, 5:00–9:00 PM · Free

Spotlight & Story

Bay St. Louis Little Theatre Founded in a living room in 1946, the community playhouse famously pieced together its first home from two surplus WWII Seabee barracks barged across the bay. Today, volunteer actors still build every set and run the lights on Blaize Avenue.

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