The Mississippi Gulf Coast is bracing for its first severe weather since the outer bands of Hurricane Rita swept through here nearly two months ago. Forecasters say a strong cold front is slowly making its way across the south-central United States, threatening to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, quarter-size hailstones and possibly even tornadoes.
With thousands of Hancock County residents, relief workers and contractors living in trailers and tents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, authorities were urging people to spend the night in shelter facilities set up at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, about 10 miles west of Bay St. Louis. So far, few people have taken them up on the offer.
Don Griffith, emergency coordinator at the sprawling NASA facility, said only about 20 people had arrived by 8:30 p.m., a few hours ahead of the expected storm.
“I don’t really have that many people at the present,” he said. “I kind of suspect that when they get wet I’ll have more business."
Stennis is prepared to take as many as 1,200 people for up to two nights if needed, and county officials have buses standing by to transport people –- in the middle of the storm if needed. (Operators are standing by at 228-466-8218.)
With the nighttime temperature a balmy 78 degrees and a full moon shining overhead, it is hard to imagine the violent storm has been advancing on the coast all day, dumping several inches of rain in some places. The latest weather forecast calls for possibly damaging wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph and “possible brief tornadoes” along the squall line.
“The north part of the state and the middle part of the state are getting pounded,” said Griffith. “It will get here and it will get ugly.”
A county emergency official urged anyone staying in a trailer to drive to the center or call for a pickup “if they have any doubt” about their safety.
Evacuees are asked to bring their own bedding to camp out on the floor in the Stennis conference rooms and atriums. The facility, which housed 3,700 people during Katrina, has some cots and bedding available for special-needs cases, said Griffith.
The cafeteria has been opened, and hot soup is being served.
The Benvenuttis: Heart of the neighborhood
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We certainly hope those that have not sought shelter at the center have other places they can get to if this storm does hit as bad as forecast. I would like to say that I hope that those with better living accomodations can help those that are stuck in tents...and yes I know there are those who are less likely to seek shelter from others or would not be desirable tenants/roomates if they are drug addicts, drunks or worse-felons...and hopefully they will not pose a threat to good-hearted people. Our prayers with everyone, and thank you Marty Wolk for bringing us this story. It tells all of us that we should be prepared for any disaster, especially in areas so prone to them such as California and the earthquakes (that yes can and have happened elsewhere), Kansas and other areas prone to tornadoes, and others. We should all have a "Plan B" for when it happens so we are not left without at least having basic essentials. Bless you and everyone and be safe.
The Harlow's, San Diego, California (Sent Nov 15, 2005 11:47:37 PM)
all we recieved ws some rain and very little of that. It seems that since Katrina every little change in the weather that would have gone without much notice, is now a fear factor. I refuse to live my life in fear of the weather. We have been dealt the worst and survived. I believe in vering on the side of caution but not of fear.
Renee Hancock County, MS (Sent Nov 17, 2005 7:31:04 PM)
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