Are Any Parts of Gulfport/Biloxi Open Yet?

[Sean in New Orleans]

I posted a thread on some of the areas where the approx. 260,000 people living in New Orleans are thriving, right, now, and revealed that we are attempting to come back, slowly, but, surely. Are there any parts of Gulfport/Biloxi open yet? Are there any pics of positive things in Biloxi/Gulfport, such as those I posted of New Orleans? I haven't been to the Coast since the hurricane, and every picture I've seen of Gulfport/Biloxi show completely demolished cities that are literally gone. Is there anything positive to post, such as pics or news, etc., or has it not happened yet there?

[m_ru]

I'll add onto your question. Are any of the beaches open down there because I'm gonna be visiting in a week or so.

[MSRobi911]

There is one small area of beach open in biloxi, but you can't go in the water yet. The corp has not cleaned up the water yet so they are keeping everyone out.

Things are progressing. Volunteers rebuilt Biloxi's town green, its nice. Three of the casinos are open and making fists full of money. Along Highway 90 in Biloxi/Gulfport was totally wiped out, will be a while before things get rebuilt. Right now you can't find a contractor let alone afford to build something new. Most people are just working on fixing homes that can be fixed.

There is some construction of some new homes on Washington Ave in Pascagoula and one person has moved back into their home on Beach Blvd (there weren't that many left that could be fixed). Very slow, but definite progress, just have to look really hard.

I'll try and snap some pics of Pascagoula, but I haven't been to Biloxi/Gulfport yet, don't wanna get more depressed than I already am.

Mary

[Dionne]

The gulf water looks really inviting.....although we are told it's what we don't see that is bad. Apparently there is alot of dangerous debris that washed back out.

There are alot of contractors in the area, but there is alot of demand and materials are difficult to find. From a friday to monday we saw the price of cedar siding jump $10 a sheet! The pressure treated lumber we are using looks terrible......the moisture content is way high.

Progress is happening, but it's slow. There is still an enormous amount of cleanup remaining. Seeing FEMA trailers parked where there used to be these really cool old homes is something you just don't get used to looking at.........

We finished a home in Waveland last thursday and immediately left.

I sure hope the northern gulf coast gets a break this season.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Doesn't sound good. Obviously, New Orleans is well on its' way to a positive recovery with a larger economy, but, I worry about the coast. How about offering some positive pics, as I offered something positive out of New Orleans?!?

[Lindaloo]

Doesn't sound good. Obviously, New Orleans is well on its' way to a positive recovery with a larger economy, but, I worry about the coast. How about offering some positive pics, as I offered something positive out of New Orleans?!?

How about you show us some pics of the 9th ward or Chalmette?

Sean, taking jabs at the Gulf Coast because we want you to be realistic about New Orleans is totally uncalled for. You know FULL WELL, that the entire MS Coast was obliterated. Come on dude!

[Sean in New Orleans]

Huh?? I'm not taking jabs? You think on a different level than me...sometimes I don't understand you. I'm asking for good pics, like I posted, of Biloxi/Gulfport, and you tell me I'm taking jabs and ask for pics of the Ninth Ward and Chalmette?! We're on two different levels here....we really are!? Oh well, it's not that big of a deal to me. You're a sweet lady, but, alot of times you seem to take the offensive to my posts, which I am always clueless why, but, like I said, it's all good. Next time I'm in the area of Chalmette and the Ninth Ward (my church is in Chalmette), I'll take some pics and post them since you want to see that area.

[Lindaloo]

We are not in the same boat as you. The surge did not reach where you live is all I am saying. The surge took out the MS Coast wiping things clean in some areas if not most of the area. It is kinda hard to rebuild within 9 months and expect us to post pics of recovery? I guess I just misunderstood what you were trying to say.

You can compare us to the 9th and Chalmette, but not New Orleans.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Isn't it open around the interstate yet? My cousin said she went to the Mall in Gulfport and I couldn't believe it. I guess it's time for me to take a spin over there. I've been avoiding that for many reasons.

[beachbum_al]

Sean,


My husband went to Bay St. Louis and Waveland about a month ago to pick up a friend to go fishing down in Venice, LA. David said it was very bad down there. Sad situation. It will be a long time before the MS Coast recovers. One thing he did say was how the people down there were grateful for what they did have despite all that has happen to them. Once they left Bay St. Louis and headed toward Venice, LA they went through areas like Chalmette. He said those areas were hit hard. They did make it down to Venice. Venice is coming back but is still in bad shape. They did have one hotel rebuilt and one little restaurant which was more than he though they would have.

We know parts of LA is back in recovery mode and that is great but there are other areas that were hit hard and it is going to be a long time before they see the end of the tunnel. I am glad that New Orleans is doing better but I think of the people down in the 9th Ward and other surrouding areas that lost everything. Things are not back to normal for them and sadly probably will never be the same. Those people lost love ones and all of their personal belongings. They don't have the money to rebuild and sadly I think they are being put on the side burner.

Honestly I think people in MS have been left out. People don't realize how bad it is down there until you go there. My husband has many times told me that it is unreal. Pictures and media doesn't even begin to tell the story of what happen the day Katrina came through.

And yes my husband did drive I-10 to Bay St. Louis. I am sure he had to take a few detours to get there but I don't know. All I do know is that he did make it from Fairhope to there and then down to Venice. He also made it down to Bay St. Louis and Waveland right after the storm too.

It is going to be a while before people feel comfortable posting pics of their towns because there is so much destruction. I remember after Ivan came through this area and believe me Ivan didn't take out three State's coastline either. It has taken Gulf Shores and Orange Beach almost two years to get back to some normalacy. Perdido Key and Florida are still recovery and those areas were hit harder.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Well, I've had my bouts with depression and anxiety over this storm...I mean I'm all good and functioning, nothing abnormal, but, I do get down. And I have strong feelings about the MS Coast, great memories, and simply love the Coast from Waveland clear to Pascagoula, and I've seen enough in New Orleans. I've been waiting for the coast to get it moving some before I come on over. I've been sad enough with this storm.

[Bluefrog]

I have photos of Pascagoula and the MS Gulf Coast if someone will tell me how to post/insert them here.

I agree that the MS Gulf Coast gets left out ....

[Jack8631]

I have photos of Pascagoula and the MS Gulf Coast if someone will tell me how to post/insert them here.

I agree that the MS Gulf Coast gets left out ....

You will need to host the pictures to a website. There are several free sites out such as http://www.photobucket.com that will allow you to upload the pictures from your computer.

If you would like, you can email me the pictures to Jack8631@msn.com and I will post them for you or provide you the links to get them on here.

[Mississippi Storm Magnet]

I would say that 80-90% of things in Gulfport near I-10 are normal again. Highway 49 at I-10 is pretty much like it was, except Home Depot is packed everyday. And traffic is a nightmare.

But near the coast around Highway 90 and south of the railroad tracks still is bad. If you travel West on 90 from Gulfport/Hwy 49 intersection (where Marine Life was/Grand Casino), you'll probably only meet a few cars on the road. It is totally a wreck down there travelling from Gulfport through Long Beach to the Pass. I could not even tell where I was.

I live north of Bay St. Louis/Waveland and I would say those cities are 30-40% back. My house is probably 80% complete.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I live north of Bay St. Louis/Waveland and I would say those cities are 30-40% back. My house is probably 80% complete.

Glad to hear it's going well for a lot of you--all things considered. Truly best wishes for a SAFE season in '06.

A2K

[Sean in New Orleans]

Sometimes, I still can't believe this nightmare occurred. It seems like it was 2 hours ago that everything was normal, yet, at other times it seems like it has been 10 years.....everybody seems to have lost any conception of time that I talk to, as well.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Sometimes, I still can't believe this nightmare occurred. It seems like it was 2 hours ago that everything was normal, yet, at other times it seems like it has been 10 years.....everybody seems to have lost any conception of time that I talk to, as well.

Events like this usually only happen once in a lifetime... hopefully there'll be no more Katrinas in this area for a looooong time. It'll take a great deal of that just to fully recover anyway.

A2K

[beachbum_al]

Sometimes, I still can't believe this nightmare occurred. It seems like it was 2 hours ago that everything was normal, yet, at other times it seems like it has been 10 years.....everybody seems to have lost any conception of time that I talk to, as well.

Sean,
It was a nightmare. A nightmare that people would like to wake up from but it doesn't happen.

I will say if you are feeling that depressed and I am not saying this in a mean way but go get help. Even though this is a little different but after my son died I fought depression for over two years without getting help. If only I had done it before hand. Depression will eat you alive if you let it. Don't let it.

What happen to the LA, MS, and AL coast was terrible. Heartbreaking! In my heart I know places will come back but it will not replace the pain that people have gone through.

Also there is the fear of everytime a storm comes around...is it going to hit again. I dealt with this during Ivan. Then in 2005 I dealt with it with Dennis. Dennis at one time was headed straight for Mobile Bay. Governor Riley was having his workers call everyone and telling them to get out. We didn't know what was going to happen. I didn't leave but I did go to City Hall with my husband. I was staying with the EMA and police up there. It was scary I will admit because honestly i didn't know if I would have a house to come back to. The Governor even called City Hall. Yes, I know that it was a recording that probably had every number in this area but that is frightening to think that they would be calling City Hall. Thank goodness that Dennis did weaken and turned to the east and missed us but if Dennis had gone in as a strong hurricane in Mobile Bay it was had been disastrous for us.

Then there was Katrina. Katrina was a nightmare for everyone. I stayed in my house that night and day since she was going into LA/MS. I didn't think I had anything to worry about. She was going in over 150 miles to the West of me. Well after getting a phone from my mom saying that my meme and aunt's house had water up to the stairs scared the living daylights out of me. My husband was out in it driving around and checking on people in Daphne. (That is how I ended up with the pics.)

Write more later. DH is home.

[bevgo]

The destruction in NO and on the MS coast is just incredible. Hwy 90 in MS will never be the same. Almost all of the beatiful old homes gone. Recovery is going to take a long time for both. NO is comming back in areas but other areas look like it was yesterday. The same is true for the MS coast. OH and BTW--when is Montanas gonna reopen???? I want to eat there bad!@!!!

[pojo]

I'm down at Keesler for the drill weekends (with the Hurricane Hunters).... Imperial Palace is open... the other casinos aren't open yet... Pretty much everything along HWY 90 is gone.. The Bridge between Ocean Springs and Biloxi is still out... beyond that... it is touch and go.

One of the days I was there... the Biloxi Police and CSI guys pulled a body off the beach (washed up ...from Katrina)

If you go down... the damage is beyond belief... I've never seen so many blue tarps and PODS on/off Keesler... However, the signs off life are slowly coming back....

Some of the hotels are open.... Hampton Inn, Days Inn are open.... otherwise, stay away from the coast. Biloxi town green is beautiful..... The Katrina Memorial Wall and Veterans Memorial, etc are tourist traps right now (people paying their dues).

As the sign at the Beau states "We will come back...together"