Mississippi

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Mississippi’s weather is characterized by hot, humid summers, with temperatures often reaching the low 90s, while winters are mild, averaging between 40°F and 60°F. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and the occasional hurricane along the Gulf Coast.
  
  Tornados
  
  Mississippi’s peak tornado season spans from March to May, with an average of 30 tornadoes occurring annually. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan.
  
  Hurricanes & Flooding
  
  Hurricane season in Mississippi spans from June to November, with the peak of storms occurring from August to October. Due to the state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi is at high risk for hurricanes and tropical storms, which bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and coastal flooding. It’s crucial to have an evacuation plan in place, especially if you live near the coast. If a hurricane warning is issued, follow local evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to protect your home.
  
  Flooding can occur year-round, especially after hurricanes or heavy rainfall. Mississippi has many river systems, and flash flooding is a risk during intense storms. Never drive through floodwaters, as just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and two feet can carry away most vehicles.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
   
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Ocean Springs
  Located on Singing River Island in the Mississippi Sound, Naval Station Pascagoula was a U.S. Navy installation that played a vital role in supporting naval units. It is now Ingalls Shipbuilding, a shipyard located in Pascagoula and the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States. CAF families can search in the surrounding communities of Ocean Springs for housing options. Ocean Springs is a charming coastal town with a strong community atmosphere, historic downtown, and access to outdoor recreation along the Gulf of Mexico. Commuting from Ocean Springs to Pascagoula typically takes about 30 minutes hours by car depending on traffic conditions.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Naval Station Pascagoula
  For members posted to Pascagoula their military installation will be Keesler AFB which is located in Biloxi. For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.

  • Keesler AFB offers a variety of amenities, including a commissary, exchange, and numerous Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. These include bowling, arts and crafts, a library, golf course, gym, fitness center, tennis courts, swimming pool, and outdoor activities like fishing and camping.

   

   
• Getting Around
  Getting around Pascagoula and Biloxi is primarily car-dependent
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  CAF members posted to Pascagoula and dependents need to seek services through Keesler AFB in Biloxi.
  
  The 81st Medical Group at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, provides comprehensive medical services to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
   
• Critters & Wildlife
  Mississippi is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake and the cottonmouth, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, especially in wooded areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, fire ants, and occasional encounters with alligators in more rural or coastal regions. Compared to Canada, Mississippi’s warmer climate supports a greater number of reptiles and insects, making routine pest control recommended to manage mosquitoes, termites, and other pests that thrive in the humid environment. Heartworm. Rabies
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools within a 25-mile radius of Ocean Springs.

  • Ocean Springs School District
  • Jackson County School District

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
   
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Mississippi Department of Revenue provides information on transferring out-of-state titles and licenses.