Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
MDOT remembers work of first responders on Hurricane Katrina’s 15th anniversary
HATTIESBURG, MISS. – On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, causing more than 1,800 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. Although Katrina brought sustained winds of 120 miles per hour and a storm surge over 11 feet, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) first responders were on standby ready to respond before the category three hurricane even made landfall.
MDOT began implementing its emergency plan days before Katrina hit the coast; district offices mobilized staff and equipment, while MDOT’s Office of Enforcement implemented contraflow.
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.
“MDOT first responders were clearing roadways of debris and uprooted trees, inspecting infrastructure and working to get the highways back open for emergency responders all before Katrina had completely passed,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “This is a testimony of the dedication and hard work of MDOT’s first responders. Because they were prepared, they were able to respond quickly and efficiently at a moment’s notice.”
Both the Biloxi Bay and Bay St. Louis Bridges were damaged beyond repair, along with most of U.S. Highway 90 and many other highways. Although there were many obstacles during reconstruction, MDOT, along with the assistance of other agencies, was able to speed up the construction process and get the bridges open in record time.
“Before, during and after a tropical system, MDOT is there,” said King. “Our first responders were there when Katrina hit 15 years ago and they are still here, ready to keep Mississippians safe.”
Residents should also stay prepared and have an evacuation plan in place before a tropical system threatens. MDOT provides free resources including the MDOT Traffic mobile app, a hurricane evacuation kit checklist and the 2020 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.
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.
MageeNews.com is an online news website covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
