Page 226 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

THEFINALSAY RUPERT
LACY
Director, Harrison County Emergency Management Agency
photo by Teddy Lewis
The Date that we’ll remember for a lifetime... August 29, 2005. Rain and winds were increasing as we checked areas of South Mississippi in the early hours with water levels building and indications there was more to come.
On Saturday night, August 27, I had realized our
history would be rewritten and that we would see loss of life. That’s when evacuation orders were issued. The EOC actively ordered and requested additional resources to
be on standby so we would be able to move into recovery mode when the storm passed. More homes and businesses started boarding up and some businesses closed early.
At this point, while watching Hurricane Katrina, we saw
a monster storm headed our way. We had prepared for Hurricane Katrina to affect us, but it had moved east which then brought up a lot of discussion of how high it might be and could we see a storm surge.
Around 6 a.m. on the 29th we checked the harbor in Gulfport. As we approached Highway 90 driving down Highway 49, reality set in that a wave of water was going to change our lifestyle. After returning to the Harrison County Emergency Operation Center in the courthouse in Gulfport, it was time to step up our plans to move to the second floor. Shutters were lowered on the doors and we started to receive phone calls and information over the radio channels of what was coming. Water rescue calls were coming in from all directions.
I have to remind every person in hurricane prone areas that each storm will act as it wants. It develops its own personality. We can write and test plans, but what will that next storm be like? We honestly have to wait for it. We can send the message, “be prepared for you and your family for 72 hours, or even longer,” but the only way to say what the storm will truly be like, unfortunately, is after impact and we start picking up the pieces. Then, we all become a part of history because we can say, “I survived Hurricane
Camille, Hurricane Katrina, or a tropical storm.”
As a coastal community, storms are a part of life. Soon
after a storm passes, we start the task of building back again. We improve our roads, power, infrastructure, bridges, and public buildings. Yes, we are better prepared for the next “normal” storm, but history has shown us that storms can make us very humble.
Each of us is responsible to prepare ourselves, families, businesses, neighbors, churches, and visitors to the community.
• Have the resources to receive correct weather
information.
• Continue to assemble and update your hazard supplies. • Take or participate in some type of preparation class or
discussion.
• Write out a plan and review it with those it affects in your
home and community.
• Remember to update your insurance policy and document
your property yearly.
• Take photos/videos and safeguard your documents.
Take each storm seriously, even if you do not live right on the beach frontage. Remember that tropical systems make rain, which leads to flooding of creeks, rivers, ponds and roads. High winds cause power outages and damage to homes and property. Tornados can be spawned that can cause fatalities.
Let’s hope no storm comes our way, but it’s better to be ready. History has shown us that.
226 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2015
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