Mississippi coast

[jjarman]

I live in Hattiesburg, about an hour up from the coast, and this is the first time I have been able to get online. We got power back Sunday and have watched the news off and on before that. They show alot about New Orleans and I know it is a third world country there now but there is very very little coverage of the Mississippi coast. They show the coast line and I don't know if people realize that that is not just a beach. It was solid homes and businesses for miles, from one end of the border to the other. 90% of everything south of I-10 is gone. Not just damaged. It is gone. I know it is bad in New Orleans with the flooding but at least they have buildings to come back too. These people don't. And I know think the word is getting out. Am I wrong here?

 

[ducklite]

The situation was that people were (and still are) stranded in beyond deplorable conditions in NOLA, literally dying on the street. This didn't seem to be the case in MS--help arrived faster, and more were able to evacuate to safety to begin with. Those who have homes to go back to in NOLA will often find that while a structure remains, between the toxic flood waters and subsequent mold, they in fact can not live there.

Unfortunately a lot more people were killed in NOLA and the surrounding area as well, and that loss of life is what makes this tragedy so horrible.

Anne

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I don't know how many people realize what it was like "before". I grew up in Picayune and now live in the North West. I just couldn't get over the video from Biloxi. I've been "educating" everyone here at work. That coast line was solid houses, stores, etc. as you said. We're not seeing the "before" and "after" pictures that should be shown. I can remember driving down the highway as a kid and seeing the distruction from Camille, the vacant lots. The loss of life is horrible but so is the loss of history. No one has reported on the loss of all the old homes, Jefferson Davis' home is reportedly gone.

Just really sad...

 

[stevenpensacola]

You've not been forgotten. I know of a lot of organizations and churches who are trying to do a good job of determining the needs, so as to make the best use of their resources. They are also waiting to make sure the areas are secure.

Another big issue right now is gas...there are a lot of folks in NW Florida willing to help out, but there's hardly any gas available to get "us" there.

Just hang in there.

 

[ckmommy]

jjarman,

I agree with you. NO is getting the majority of the coverage. I am amazed when I do see reports of the devistation in MS. I had traveled on Hwy 90 last year and commented on how beautiful the homes were in Biloxi and Gulfport. It is so awful that they are gone. I would like to know what is happening at the V-Retirment Home. I had also commented to my DH that it was a wonderful place for a retirment home. I am glad to hear that you have gotten your power restored. I am thinking about your state!!

As a side note, how are the interstates around your area? We are needing to go that way very soon??

 

[mickeyboat]

jjarman -

The devastation in your area is unfathomable.

There was a state-wide collection in VT last week which is bound for Mississippi. You are not forgotten.

Denae

 

[ducklite]

And please don't take my post the wrong way--I know people who lost their homes--entirely gone, in the Gulfport/Biloxi area.

Anne

 

[jjarman]

jjarman,

I agree with you. NO is getting the majority of the coverage. I am amazed when I do see reports of the devistation in MS. I had traveled on Hwy 90 last year and commented on how beautiful the homes were in Biloxi and Gulfport. It is so awful that they are gone. I would like to know what is happening at the V-Retirment Home. I had also commented to my DH that it was a wonderful place for a retirment home. I am glad to hear that you have gotten your power restored. I am thinking about your state!!

As a side note, how are the interstates around your area? We are needing to go that way very soon??

Thank you for your comments. It is true. It was so beautiful down there. Almost all of the house, hotels, restaurants, banks, shopping centers, everything below I-10 is gone.

As for the interstates, I-59 is open as far as I know. I don't know how I-10 is on the coast. Highway 49 south is open. Where were you traveling to? I might can help you with an alternate route.

 

[jjarman]

jjarman -

The devastation in your area is unfathomable.

There was a state-wide collection in VT last week which is bound for Mississippi. You are not forgotten.

Denae

I am in tears here sitting at the computer. Thank you so much. Don't get me wrong. There have been some wonderful people from all over down here, from Arkansas, Indiana, Minnesota, etc. It is just I don't want the rest of the country to forget us. The devastation on the coast is, in many ways, worse than New Orleans.

 

[maleficent1959]

You've not been forgotten. I know of a lot of organizations and churches who are trying to do a good job of determining the needs, so as to make the best use of their resources. They are also waiting to make sure the areas are secure.

Another big issue right now is gas...there are a lot of folks in NW Florida willing to help out, but there's hardly any gas available to get "us" there.

Just hang in there.

Another Pensacolian here!

There have been some convoys and relief groups going out to Mississippi from Pensacola. I know you just got back power, but I wish you could see the outpour of support from our town. I imagine you have felt pretty isolated and alone for the past week.

We haven't forgotten you. You're our families, our friends and our neighbors. You helped us after Ivan and we are there for you now.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My dad used to live in Gulfport--I spent several summers there. I just cannot imagine the damage.

Now that I am relieved that NOLA is in a position now that is better than where it was a week ago, I do hope that MS getst the relief it needs.

We met a family from Ocean Springs (?--I think) who lost their home--they rented a truck to go salvage what they could. And they didn't want to go empty--so our local Wal-mart let them set up....it was 1/4 full when I left them and when they had 1 hour left to go I went back to give them some gas money and it was 3/4 full. They wanted to be able to bring some relief back to what homes are left in the neighborhoods.

 

[LMC]

You are right. Alot of people, which included myself, didn't realize how many permanent homes are right along the beach in MS. The areas we vacation in are usually vacation homes so if those get damaged it's no big deal because at least it's not your primary residence. I don't agree that most of the NO people will return to a building or home. I believe they will have to demolish and burn or find a way to get rid of all the flooded structures that are now toxic waste sites.
My husband just drove a friend of ours to Biloxi so our friend could take much needed supplies to his family that are staying. They have no water or sewage service but they are staying. They did get power Sunday. The guys parents no longer have a useable home so they returned to AL with our friend. Their home had sewage and storm surge flowing thru it so it will have to be gutted and rebuilt. And, from what I have heard, storm surges are "floods" so if the people didn't have flood insurance, they won't be covered.

I don't think no one is forgotten. At least not by us regular citizens.

 

[beagle744]

jjarman, I used to live in Jackson and would visit the gulf coast often. I am devastated by what I've seen.

Here's what I found out about the damage to the Jefferson Davis home from the American Association of Museums. The link provides what is known about the damage to all sorts of other institutions in the damage areas.

http://www.aam-us.org/aamlatest/news/HurricaneFirstReports.cfm

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We live outside of Baton Rouge and travel to Gulfport/Biloxi pretty regularly. We actually had reservations for the Beau Rivage for next weekend. The satelite images made my stomach turn. To see the area around hwy 90 is unbelievable. I had to print some picture from my digital camera last night, I had pictures from July 5 - 8 when we were in Gulfport at the Grand... I cried. Devistation is an understatement. The buildings are just gone! You are not forgotten and things will get better. The Gulf Coast will be beautiful once again. We, southerners are a stubborn lot! Nothing can keep us down for very long!

 

[Southern4sure]

Im from Mobile and my mom & dad live in Grand Bay, AL which is just inside the MS/AL border about 20-30 minutes tops from Biloxi and Gulf Port. I seems unreal to see all the beautiful houses just gone. The casinos are just shells left if that. MS is not forgotton.

 

[Mrs. Squirrel]

My sister and I spent our childhood summers in Biloxi/Gulfport, as my grandparents took early retirement an moved to this lovely area. I have nothing but wonderful memories of our times there and the people we met. I lost my beloved grandfather a year ago this October. Shortly thereafter, my grandmother moved to Tampa, FL to be near my father. So while I am eternally grateful to God that she was not there alone to face Katrina, having to deal with the destruction of the cities my grandfather loved so dearly has been almost unbearable. It brings the pain of his death right back to me as if it were yesterday! If he were not already gone, this would have done him in for sure. You are surely not forgotten MS! My DH and I have commented many times that the gulf of MS seemed much more prepared to handle Katrina than NOLA and this alone may be the reason that the media has not focused as much attention on you. You are in our prayers. . .God bless!
-Jayne

Do you know if the Biloxi mansion with the palmtree growing through the porch is gone? It had been a bed and breakfast for the last several years. My DSis loved this house and always dreamed of buying one day. What about the Biloxi lighthouse?

 

[elliemae1192]

Im from Mobile and my mom & dad live in Grand Bay, AL which is just inside the MS/AL border about 20-30 minutes tops from Biloxi and Gulf Port. I seems unreal to see all the beautiful houses just gone. The casinos are just shells left if that. MS is not forgotton.

I'm in Mobile too (grew up in Grand Bay ). The situation in NO was horrible because of the total anarchy that was going on, but the complete devastation on the Mississippi coast is just heartbreaking. My husband works in Pascagoula and several of his co-workers have now found themselves homeless. I cannot even try to imagine what it's like to lose everything like that. These people have not only lost their homes, but their churches, and schools. Whole communities just gone. My prayers are with everyone who is dealing with the effects of this storm.