Yard drainage in Savannah
Drainage help across Georgia's oldest city, from historic midtown streets to newer neighborhoods on the Southside and in west Chatham.
Savannah is the Chatham County seat and had 147,780 residents at the 2020 census. The city covers more than 100 neighborhoods, from downtown and the Victorian District through midtown areas like Ardsley Park to the Southside, the Eastside and recently annexed suburban neighborhoods in southwest and west Chatham.
Why does Savannah flood so easily?
The city is built just above sea level on land bordered by the Savannah River, the Ogeechee River and miles of marsh. Heavy rain has little slope to follow, and the outfalls that drain neighborhoods are influenced by the tide. The city leans on canals, seven pump stations and 31 tide gates to move water out. Its own target is reducing building flooding in a storm of about 6 inches in 24 hours, the 25-year event, so bigger storms can still overwhelm streets.
Older homes vs. newer ones
Older midtown homes are often raised on piers or crawl spaces, with old clay or metal downspout lines buried under decades of landscaping. Southside and west Chatham houses are more often slab-on-grade, where the problem is usually grading, patios that tilt toward the house, or side-yard swales lost to fences.
Report what's public
If water is coming from a clogged street inlet or ditch, report it through 311 or the SAV311 app. The city works on public property, streets, rights-of-way and easements, not private lots.
Common jobs
- Replacing root-damaged downspout lines under older homes
- Crawl space drains and sump pumps
- Regrading slab homes so water leaves the foundation
- Channel drains at driveways and courtyards
Common questions
How do I find my flood zone in Savannah?
FEMA flood maps can be viewed for free at sagis.org. The city notes that properties outside the mapped flood area aren't guaranteed to stay dry.
Who do I call about a flooded street drain?
Inside city limits, use 311 or the SAV311 app to report drainage obstructions.
Services in Savannah
- French drainsGravel-and-pipe trenches that pull water out of soggy ground and carry it to a safe outlet.
- Downspout drain linesBuried solid pipe that takes roof water away from the slab or crawl space.
- Yard grading and swalesReshape a flat yard so surface water moves off the lot instead of sitting by the house.
- Sump pumps and crawl space waterGet water out from under raised and crawl space homes, and stop what's feeding it.
- Catch basins and channel drainsGrated drains that grab water at low spots, patios, pool decks and driveways.
Nearby areas
Yard still underwater a day after the storm?
Call now and a local drainage contractor will help you work out where the water should go.