Brewton grew up at the meeting of two creeks. Before the railroad arrived, barges carried goods between here and Pensacola on Murder Creek and Burnt Corn Creek, and the lumber money that followed earned the Escambia County seat its nickname, "the richest little town in the South." The same creeks are the town's main flood threat. At about 82 feet above sea level, the low parts of town and of neighboring East Brewton sit right in their path when heavy rain falls upstream.
The Restoration Job is a free referral service with a phone line staffed 24/7. Dial (888) 317-9980 and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves the area and the rest of Escambia County. The work itself is done by that provider, not by us.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Brewton. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Reading the Murder Creek Gauge
The National Weather Service tracks Murder Creek at a gauge in town, where flood stage is 22 feet. Its published impact statements give a street-by-street picture of what to expect:
- 22 feet: Persimmon and Ann streets begin to flood.
- 24 feet: Highway 29/Mildred Street begins to flood.
- 25 feet: water reaches Downing Street, parts of Snowden Street in East Brewton flood, and St. Nicholas Street begins to take water.
- 30 feet: severe flooding south of Court and East streets.
- 37 feet: severe flooding across both towns.
The record crest of 37 feet came on March 15, 1929. In March 1990 the creek crested twice in less than a week, at 30.93 feet on the 13th and 32.61 feet on the 17th. Other major crests include 30.2 feet in July 1916 and 29.9 feet in April 1975. Separate gauges cover Burnt Corn Creek just northwest of town and the Conecuh River.
Sally's Rain and the 2020 Creek Flood
Hurricane Sally moved slowly ashore in September 2020 and soaked inland Escambia County as well. A cooperative observer 3 miles east-northeast of town measured 17.44 inches of rain, and 18.83 inches fell north of Pollard. Murder Creek rose to moderate flood stage and parts of the city flooded, while tropical-storm-force winds brought down trees across the county. The county was also declared a disaster area after Hurricane Frederic in 1979 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Trees on roofs and creek water in living areas often happen in the same storm, so a home may need tarping, debris removal and interior drying all at once.
Cleaning Up After Creek Water Gets Inside
Creek floodwater carries mud, sewage and whatever it picked up upstream, so it is handled as contaminated. Wait until power is safely off before entering, wear boots and gloves, and photograph waterlines on walls and furniture before moving anything. Professional flood cleanup generally includes pumping out water, shoveling out silt, cutting drywall above the waterline, removing wet insulation and flooring, and disinfecting framing before drying begins.
Older houses are often built with wood floors over crawl spaces. Water trapped under the house has to be removed and the crawl space dried along with the rooms above, or floors will cup and joists can rot. Check ductwork under the house too; flooded ducts are usually replaced rather than cleaned.
Mold in Older Homes Along the Creeks
The town averages more than 65 inches of rain a year, with July and August the wettest months, and summers are long and humid. After a flood, mold can appear on wet drywall, paneling and wood framing within a day or two in that heat, and older homes with plaster, shiplap or wood paneling can hold moisture in places that are hard to reach. Moisture mapping before walls are closed up is the most reliable way to avoid a recurring musty smell. A provider offering mold remediation can set up containment if growth has already spread.
Flood Insurance and Watching the Forecast
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding from Murder Creek or Burnt Corn Creek. If you live near either creek, look up your property on the FEMA flood map and ask your agent about a separate flood policy, keeping in mind that new policies usually take 30 days to begin. When heavy rain is forecast, watch the Murder Creek gauge forecast, move vehicles and valuables to higher ground early, and know your route out, since Highway 29 and Highway 31 crossings can flood at higher stages.
Areas In and Around Brewton
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- East Brewton
- Pollard
- Flomaton
- Atmore
- Castleberry
Frequently Asked Questions
At what level does Murder Creek start flooding streets?
According to National Weather Service impact statements, Persimmon and Ann streets begin to flood when the gauge reaches 22 feet, which is flood stage. Highway 29/Mildred Street begins flooding at 24 feet, and by 25 feet water reaches Downing Street and parts of Snowden Street in East Brewton. Check the gauge forecast whenever heavy rain is expected.
What was the worst Murder Creek flood on record?
The highest recorded crest on Murder Creek at Brewton was 37 feet on March 15, 1929, a level the Weather Service associates with severe flooding in both towns. In March 1990 the creek crested twice within days, reaching 32.61 feet on March 17. Those events are a reminder that the creek can rise far above flood stage.
Can wood floors be saved after creek water comes inside?
Sometimes, if the water was brief and drying starts quickly, though floodwater contamination and long soaking often mean removal. The subfloor and the crawl space underneath also need to dry, or problems return. A restoration provider can take moisture readings to see what can be saved. Call (888) 317-9980 at any hour to be connected with an independent company serving Escambia County.