Chickasaw began as a company town for shipyard workers. Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation bought the property in 1940 and expanded it during the World War II defense buildup, and in 1946 the village was sold to an investment company that renovated the houses and sold them to residents. Today the Chickasaw Shipyard Village Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2004, still makes up the core of a compact city of about 4.6 square miles and 6,457 people.
Water is never far away. Chickasaw Creek, a tidal arm of the Mobile River, forms the city's northeast border, and nearly 8 percent of the city's area is water. Call (888) 317-9980 any time and The Restoration Job will connect you, at no cost, with an independent restoration provider serving Chickasaw and the rest of north Mobile County. The provider carries out the inspection and repairs; we handle the connection.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Chickasaw. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Living Beside a Tidal Creek
Because Chickasaw Creek rises and falls with the Mobile River, water levels along it depend on more than local rain. A long tropical downpour that coincides with high water on the river can slow drainage out of low streets and yards along the creek side of town, and waterfront property near the Port of Chickasaw sits only a few feet above normal water. Most of the city lies around 36 feet above sea level, which keeps the bulk of its homes above the creek, but the low edges are where problems start.
If you live near the creek, learn where your lot drains, keep storm drains and ditches clear of leaves before storm season, and look up your address on the FEMA flood map. Flood insurance is a separate policy from homeowners coverage and typically has a waiting period before it takes effect, so it needs to be in place well before a storm is in the forecast.
Wartime Houses in the Shipyard Village
Homes in the historic district date to the shipyard era, which means they are now more than 80 years old. Houses of that age have usually been through several rounds of plumbing, electrical and roofing updates, and the joints between old and new materials are a common place for leaks to start. Water from a slow drip under a bathroom or kitchen can travel through older subfloors before anyone notices a soft spot.
When an older house gets wet, the goal is to dry what can be dried rather than tear out everything. Ask about structural drying methods that target framing and subfloors directly, and about how the provider will protect original woodwork. If you plan exterior changes afterward, check with the city first, since the district is on the National Register.
Storms That Have Crossed North Mobile County
Chickasaw sits several miles up the river from Mobile Bay, so wind and rain usually do more harm than surge. Hurricane Frederic came ashore on Dauphin Island on September 12, 1979, with gusts of 97 mph recorded at the regional airport and power out in parts of the county for five weeks. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, surge reached 11.45 feet at the Mobile State Docks downriver. In September 2020, Hurricane Sally downed trees and knocked out power across central Mobile County.
After any of these events, the most common interior damage is a ceiling leak from wind-damaged roofing or a falling limb. Tarping the roof quickly limits how much water gets into insulation and drywall, which in turn limits how much has to be removed.
Humidity, Mold and Older Building Cavities
The Mobile area averages around 66 inches of rain a year, with July and August the wettest months, and humidity stays high for much of the year. Wall and floor cavities in older houses hold moisture well, which makes them good places for hidden mold growth after a leak. Signs to watch for include a musty smell that lingers, peeling paint near baseboards, and dark staining around plumbing.
Small areas on hard surfaces can be cleaned with detergent and water. Larger growth, or anything inside walls or ductwork, warrants a professional assessment and, if needed, mold remediation using containment so spores are not spread.
A Short Checklist for the First Day
- Shut off the main water valve or the fixture valve feeding the leak.
- Turn off breakers for any wet rooms if you can do so from a dry spot.
- Photograph damage, including furniture, flooring and the source of the water.
- Move rugs, papers and electronics to a dry area.
- Call your insurer and a restoration provider; do not wait for the adjuster to begin drying.
Neighbors in Saraland and Prichard face many of the same creek and storm issues, and providers serving this side of the county often work across all three cities.
Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
Calls come in from across Chickasaw, including:
- Chickasaw Shipyard Village
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Common Questions
Does Chickasaw Creek flood homes?
Most homes in Chickasaw sit well above the creek, but the low ground along the waterfront and near the port can see water during prolonged rain combined with high water on the Mobile River, or during a hurricane surge moving up the river. Checking FEMA's flood map for your address is the quickest way to see whether your lot is in a mapped flood hazard area.
My house is in the shipyard village historic district. Does that change the repair process?
Interior drying and cleanup generally proceed the same way as in any other home. The difference is usually in how materials are handled: providers can often dry original wood floors and trim in place instead of removing them. For exterior work such as roofing, windows or siding, ask the city whether any approvals apply before you start.
Why does my older home smell musty after a leak was fixed?
A lingering musty odor usually means moisture remained inside a wall, subfloor or crawl space after the visible water was cleaned up. In a humid Gulf climate that trapped moisture can support mold growth. A provider with moisture meters and thermal imaging can find wet areas without opening every wall and recommend targeted drying or removal.