Mississippi Coast Question..

[Sean in New Orleans]

Through this terrible ordeal, with Katrina, I have repeatedly heard about a concern that I would like to be answered by the people on the MS Coast (and/or others). For starter, I love the MS Coast and as a child, I frequented there, at least twice a month, to go to that "beloved," camp my Aunt and Uncle owned in Waveland. I worry about the protection the Coast could receive in the future. There are real solutions in New Orleans and they are being addressed. We have levees and they are being fortified and raised, over time to the appropriate leves for the top protection, even with a category 5..it's going to take about 5 or so years. But, what about the MS Gulf Coast? What can we do to protect the Coast? Granted the last time this occurred was in 1969, with Camille, but, there is NOTHING between cities on the Coast and the GOM. Levees can't be built. The Coast seems to only hope that it won't occur, again, anytime soon, but, that's about it?!? Everything is right on the water. Is there anything or has anyone heard of anything that can be constructed offshore to lessen any future storm surges, since levees aren't in the equation. It just seems like the Coast is so incredibly vulnerable. And now, we have all of this awesome reconstruction occurring on the Coast, but, will it be for not if another storm occurs? I love the Coast, and wonder what can we do to protect the great people that live there in the future?

[HurryKane]

I don't really think there's anything that could be built to protect us without completely FUBARing the local environment.

We chose to live here, we gotta take the licks.

[MGC]

Well, we could build a massive wall like Galveston did, but that is beyond pratical. Really nothing we can do. As long as cheap flood insurance is available people will build right on the coast, only to get wiped out again when the next big cane hits. I drive to work along Hwy-90 every day and have noticed that many are rebuilding at the same elevation as pre Katrina. Talk about dumb.....MGC

[zlaxier]

Large concrete block condos over 10 stories did comparitively well during Katrina on the Mississippi coast. Lots of windows broken, some curtain wall failures and roof damage, along with the first 2 and 3 floors gutted cause of surge, but the buildings did not collapse. Pretty much everything under 5 stories on the coast collapsed by the surge.

Basically, the only thing you can do is improve building codes. Build stronger, build higher right on the coast.

[Dionne]

Sean.....I'm on a job right now in Waveland. As you well know almost everything went underwater along with winds. There is still debris on the streets. There are still homes that are total losses scheduled for DEMO that is a long time coming. Circle K is the only place with gas. Sonic is the place to eat. Pretty gurls on roller skates. There is a Cuban restaurant we have yet to try......and a couple of beer joints along 90.

Answer to your question....in Waveland the water went all the way to I-10 and there ain't a darned thang you can do to stop her. But folks are rebuilding.....and it looks like most are increasing elevations from 4 to 12 feet.

Come visit us.....720 Dicks road. We'll be back on the job next tuesday.

[Lindaloo]

They are talking about building a levee around Pascagoula. PLUS they are even considering casino's. The casino will get a no vote from me and the levee, well, I am waiting to see blueprints.


They are patching the levees Sean. Sad, but true. The 7th street canal is bowing. THAT is why my sister is getting out of the North Shore.

[CrazyC83]

If I had my way, I'd close all the casinos there and develop a natural environment instead...and give tax incentives to lure REAL business.

[sunny]

CrazyC83 - what do you consider "real business"? The casino industry creates jobs, creates revenue, pays taxes. You don't consider that to be "real business"?

[CrazyC83]

CrazyC83 - what do you consider "real business"? The casino industry creates jobs, creates revenue, pays taxes. You don't consider that to be "real business"?

Manufacturing + other types of tourism...I find that casinos yield higher crime and household problems...

[Lindaloo]

I agree about the higher crime and the household woes. That is why I do not want that here in the small town of Pascagoula. We have enough overflow of crime from the casinos in Biloxi and Gulfport. No thanks!

[CajunMama]

CrazyC83 - what do you consider "real business"? The casino industry creates jobs, creates revenue, pays taxes. You don't consider that to be "real business"?

Manufacturing + other types of tourism...I find that casinos yield higher crime and household problems...

as in?????

[Audrey2Katrina]

I was wondering about a 20 ft. Sea wall... yeah it could be overtopped by once in a century monster like Katrina...but even so, had one been there it would have substantially mitigated what came through. I know it would be a herculean task, but I think with growing technology and ingenuity it could be done far enough from the water not to mess up the beautiful beaches, and perhaps something could be done to keep them from just looking like a sheer wall... strategically located gates--landscaping..I dunno... not a landscaper or engineer; but I think something is plausible if enough of the right people put their minds down to it.

But just like there's a special determination in New Orleans, there is just as much tenacity along the MGC... people aren't about to give up living along the coast.


JMHO_FWIW

A2K

[george_r_1961]

Sean.....I'm on a job right now in Waveland. As you well know almost everything went underwater along with winds. There is still debris on the streets. There are still homes that are total losses scheduled for DEMO that is a long time coming. Circle K is the only place with gas. Sonic is the place to eat. Pretty gurls on roller skates. There is a Cuban restaurant we have yet to try......and a couple of beer joints along 90.

Answer to your question....in Waveland the water went all the way to I-10 and there ain't a darned thang you can do to stop her. But folks are rebuilding.....and it looks like most are increasing elevations from 4 to 12 feet.

Come visit us.....720 Dicks road. We'll be back on the job next tuesday.

Dionne i drove to Waveland Sunday while staying in NOLA. Im still amazed at the destruction I saw.

[george_r_1961]

I agree about the higher crime and the household woes. That is why I do not want that here in the small town of Pascagoula. We have enough overflow of crime from the casinos in Biloxi and Gulfport. No thanks!

Linda I see your point as I would be nervous too. Casinos however mean big $$$ and jobs. True gambling causes probs but so does alcohol but that doesnt mean you want to shut the bars down either. People have got to learn to be responsible. As far as the crime goes the police and the courts must be consistent with dealing with offenders; would be criminals must know that when they get caught punishment will be swift and sure.

Just my 2 cents.

[Lindaloo]

Pascagoula cannot support casinos. We do not have the police manpower to handle the influx of people that will flock here. PERIOD.

[Stormtrack]

But, what about the MS Gulf Coast? What can we do to protect the Coast? Granted the last time this occurred was in 1969, with Camille, but, there is NOTHING between cities on the Coast and the GOM. Levees can't be built. The Coast seems to only hope that it won't occur, again, anytime soon, but, that's about it?!? Everything is right on the water. Is there anything or has anyone heard of anything that can be constructed offshore to lessen any future storm surges, since levees aren't in the equation. It just seems like the Coast is so incredibly vulnerable. And now, we have all of this awesome reconstruction occurring on the Coast, but, will it be for not if another storm occurs? I love the Coast, and wonder what can we do to protect the great people that live there in the future?

I'm trying to understand the statement "Levees can't be built." Why not? Is it that they don't have the money? I live in Brazoria County on the coast in Texas and after the devastation of Hurricane Carla in 1961 they built levees complete with pumps. So far we've been fortunate enough since then that they haven't had a good test but officials claim what happened with the levees in New Orleans can't happen here. Of course they aren't high enough for surges like in Mississippi with Katrina, but hopefully we'll never see a surge like that.

[Sean in New Orleans]

I guess massive levees could be built on the beach and you would have to go "over" the levees to be on the beach. It would take away all of the beachfront views, the government would have to confiscate thousands of private residences and businesses that would be extrememly expensive and then they would have to build the levees.

[timNms]

Sean.....I'm on a job right now in Waveland. As you well know almost everything went underwater along with winds. There is still debris on the streets. There are still homes that are total losses scheduled for DEMO that is a long time coming. Circle K is the only place with gas. Sonic is the place to eat. Pretty gurls on roller skates. There is a Cuban restaurant we have yet to try......and a couple of beer joints along 90.

Answer to your question....in Waveland the water went all the way to I-10 and there ain't a darned thang you can do to stop her. But folks are rebuilding.....and it looks like most are increasing elevations from 4 to 12 feet.

Come visit us.....720 Dicks road. We'll be back on the job next tuesday.

Dionne i drove to Waveland Sunday while staying in NOLA. Im still amazed at the destruction I saw.

George, when my family and I visited Waveland in late Sept. or early Oct I couldn't believe what I saw. It was bad north of the tracks, but once you crossed the tracks, it was total destruction! I've been thinking about going back down to see how things are going, but haven't talked myself into doing so yet.
Did you see the hotel near the K-Mart? That's where my daughter's ex fiance and his family evacuated to thinking they were safe from the surge. The water got to the 2nd floor there!
Waveland was such a nice place to visit. I remember spending the 4th of July at our friend's beachfront house in 04. Watching the fireworks along the beach was awesome. I hope Waveland comes back better than ever!

[Bluefrog]

there is nothing we can do but take the lickin's and keep on ticking ....

[MSRobi911]

I was wondering about a 20 ft. Sea wall... yeah it could be overtopped by once in a century monster like Katrina...but even so, had one been there it would have substantially mitigated what came through. I know it would be a herculean task, but I think with growing technology and ingenuity it could be done far enough from the water not to mess up the beautiful beaches, and perhaps something could be done to keep them from just looking like a sheer wall... strategically located gates--landscaping..I dunno... not a landscaper or engineer; but I think something is plausible if enough of the right people put their minds down to it.

But just like there's a special determination in New Orleans, there is just as much tenacity along the MGC... people aren't about to give up living along the coast.


JMHO_FWIW

A2K

The barrier islands are supposed to protect us, BUT since we have had such damage from storms such as Camille, Frederic, Elena, George, not to mention Katrina the islands have changed so much. Horn is hardly there anymore it was cut in half by I think Frederic (but don't quote me) Sand and Ship and Chandelier, Peti Bois and Deer are mostly gone. That is sooooo sad. Oh I forgot to mention Dauphin Island, actually considered Alabama but it was so big and beautiful when I was a teenager, now its hardly there....houses have been washed away with each storm and not replaced because now water is there...its soooo sad. But to get to the point, to actually build a levee out in the gulf would not work in my opinion. Our water is already brown and nasty (sorry, I love it, but its true) because of the remaining parts of the islands and not beautiful and blue like Gulf Shores and on further to Pensacola.

Bluefrog I agree....we are all gonna be 12 feet in the air down here on the beach front, but for a few of the fools that are already rebuilding with just 4 foot chain walls....I wonder if they know when they try to sell their houses in the future, the new owners will have to bring them up to compliance or not be covered by insurance.

Unfortunately buying Flood Insurance is not the answer for repeated flooding.....you know they have the 3 strikes your out rule??? Oh yes, three floods, they don't cover you anymore unless you make changes and elevate your home...that is why they offer $30,000 to help you raise it..like that is gonna cover the cost...HA!

When your land is from 10-14 feet above sea level, you take the chance of flooding when you are by the gulf and unfortunately that is where South Pascagoula sits. My next door neighbor was on stilts, didn't do any good, his house was still wiped out on the first floor and unstable. I was afraid it was gonna fall on my little FEMA trailer before they took it down...it was bowing on all walls and leaning.

Mary