Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Transportation:
As the 17th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches next Monday, August 29, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) urges residents to have a plan in place, especially during peak hurricane season.
“I hope and pray we never experience another storm like Hurricane Katrina,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “We never know when another storm might threaten South Mississippi. This anniversary serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of hurricane preparation.”
Katrina made landfall as a category three hurricane on August 29, 2005, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, leaving behind enormous destruction and significant loss of life. According to the National Weather Service, Katrina is one of the five deadliest hurricanes to ever hit the United States. The hurricane was responsible for 1,833 fatalities and approximately $108 billion in damage.
Within six hours of landfall, MDOT first responders opened all structurally safe roadways to emergency response teams. Within 16 hours, all state-maintained highway lanes had been cleared and opened for the public to access. However, major reconstruction was necessary, including two bridges on U.S. Highway 90.
“MDOT takes seriously its role as a first responder in the aftermath of tropical storms and hurricanes,” King said. “Our first responders are prepared and ready to clear roadways as soon as possible for emergency responders.”
To help residents prepare their evacuation plans, MDOT provides free resources including the MDOT Traffic mobile app, a hurricane evacuation kit checklist and the 2022 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.
The Hurricane Evacuation Guide is an essential resource during hurricane season. It features information such as evacuation routes, contraflow information, radio coverage areas through Mississippi Public Broadcasting and important contact information for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and bordering state DOTs and highway patrols. Vital information on shelters, pet care, lodging and travel resources are included.
To download the Hurricane Evacuation Guide and the full hurricane evacuation kit checklist, and for more hurricane safety tips, visit GoMDOT.com/hurricanes.
As MDOT monitors the tropics you can follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter along with the hashtag #HurricaneStrong to stay up to date.
