Hernando has been DeSoto County's seat of government since the 1830s, when settlers renamed the town of Jefferson after the explorer Hernando de Soto. The courthouse still stands on the downtown square at Commerce Street and U.S. 51, while new subdivisions have spread outward along Interstate 55 and the newer I-269 corridor. The 2020 census counted 17,138 residents, up from 14,090 a decade earlier.
As a free referral line, The Restoration Job does not send anyone to your house itself. Call (888) 317-9980 around the clock and we'll put you in touch with a provider that serves Hernando and nearby parts of DeSoto and Tate counties.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Hernando. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Sleet, Ice and Frozen Pipes: The January 2026 Storm
The winter storm of January 23 to 25, 2026 put a measurable load on Hernando roofs. Observers reported 3.0 inches of sleet in town and 4.0 inches a few miles north-northwest, according to the National Weather Service in Memphis. Sleet packs densely, and as it melts on a cold roof it can back up behind gutters and work under shingles at the eaves.
Cold snaps also split pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages and crawl spaces. The damage often stays hidden until temperatures rise and the line thaws. If you find water after a freeze, shut off the main, open a faucet to relieve pressure, and get the wet areas assessed for structural drying before flooring and drywall start to swell.
Storefront Leaks on the DeSoto County Seat's Downtown Square
The downtown square is the oldest part of the city. Older commercial blocks like these commonly have low-slope roofs, parapet walls and shared walls, along with plumbing that has been patched many times. A roof drain clogged with leaves or a failed parapet flashing can send water down an interior wall of a shop or office before anyone notices. In a row of connected storefronts, water from one unit often shows up in the next.
Owners and tenants should know where the shutoffs are, who is responsible for the roof under the lease, and how to reach the neighboring business after hours. Early water damage repair on plaster, wood floors and older trim usually saves more original material than waiting.
Arkabutla Lake, the Coldwater River and Spring Rain
Straddling the DeSoto–Tate county line, Arkabutla Lake was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Coldwater River and completed in 1940 as a flood damage reduction reservoir. Its field office carries a Hernando address. The Corps has warned that the lake will run substantially lower than usual for an extended period while repairs are made to the dam after problems were found in 2023. DeSoto County's stormwater program notes that local runoff ultimately drains to the Coldwater River and Arkabutla Lake.
For homes in town, the routine threat is rain rather than the lake. Spring storms arrive often, and on March 31, 2023 an EF2 tornado crossed rural western DeSoto County and ended southwest of Nesbit, only a few miles north of the city. When wind opens a roof, prompt storm damage cleanup keeps rain from soaking attic insulation and ceilings.
Hidden Moisture in Hernando Kitchens, Baths and Closets
North Mississippi humidity keeps damp materials damp. A leak that runs behind a dishwasher, inside a vanity, or along a cold water line in an exterior wall can feed mold for weeks before it is visible. Signs include a musty closet, peeling paint at the baseboard, or soft spots in the floor. Treat the moisture source first, dry the structure, and have affected drywall, insulation or subfloor removed rather than simply cleaned on the surface.
Steps to Take in the First Few Hours
- Stop the water at the main or the fixture valve, and turn off power to wet rooms if it is safe.
- Photograph damage before moving furniture or pulling up rugs.
- Lift furniture legs onto foil or blocks and move books and papers to dry rooms.
- Call your insurer to open a claim, and note that surface flooding falls under flood insurance, not homeowners coverage.
- Arrange a restoration assessment so drying starts while the claim is processed.
Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
Calls come in from across Hernando, including:
- Downtown courthouse square
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Southaven
- Nesbit
- Horn Lake
- Olive Branch
- Senatobia
- Coldwater
Hernando Water Damage Questions
Does Arkabutla Lake put Hernando homes at risk of flooding?
The lake is a flood control reservoir on the Coldwater River, built to hold back water rather than release it onto towns. The Corps of Engineers has been keeping it lower than normal during dam repairs. Most water damage in Hernando comes from rain, roofs and plumbing. Low ground near local creeks can still flood, so check FEMA's map for your address.
What should I do if pipes burst after a hard freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open a cold faucet to drain the line, and switch off electricity to any area where water reached outlets or fixtures. Mop up what you safely can and photograph everything. Then have the wet walls and floors measured with a moisture meter, since water from a frozen line often runs inside a wall cavity and spreads farther than it looks.
I rent a storefront on the square and water came through the ceiling. Who handles it?
Your lease decides who is responsible for the roof and for interior repairs, so read it and notify the landlord in writing right away. In connected buildings the source may be next door or on the roof above. Document your inventory losses for your own business policy. A restoration provider can begin drying your space once the owner approves access.
Is The Restoration Job a local Hernando company?
No. We are a free referral line. When you call (888) 317-9980, we connect you with an independent restoration provider that works in Hernando and DeSoto County. Any inspection, drying or rebuilding is done by that third-party company, which will explain its own process and how it works with your insurer.