Jones County preparing for storm impact

August 29, 2008 11:23 am

— Emergency preparations intensified Thursday in Jones County as Gustav was expected to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gustav is predicted to threaten some portion of the northern Gulf Coast of the U.S. sometime on Monday and into Tuesday.
Gustav’s ultimate destination is still unknown, with models showing possible targets as Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. About 3,000 National Guard members began reporting for duty in New Orleans Tuesday. Mississippi Gulf Coast emergency personnel on Thursday were still planning for mandatory evacuations on Sunday or Monday. Officials are telling residents they should begin voluntary evacuations Sunday.
Evacuees headed northward will probably use both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-59 — or contraflow. Jones County Emergency Management Agency Director Don McKennon said the contraflow would reach as far north as Poplarville, but heavier traffic than expected could extend the plan as far north as mile marker 93, or the second Ellisville exit at Rogers Auto Parts on Highway 11.
Facing unknowns and only possibilities — and also the Labor Day holiday on Monday — the Jones County EMA is in full preparation status.
Officials are advising the public to fill the gas tanks of their vehicles and stock up on emergency essentials, such as bottled water, non-perishable foods and batteries. McKennon advised residents not to use candles for lighting because of the potential fire hazard.
“Gustav is forecast to intensify after passing over Jamaica,” Tom Moore, lead meteorologist with The Weather Channel, said Thursday afternoon. “It will likely be at hurricane strength as it approaches the Cayman Islands later Friday. Gustav is then forecast to enter the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, and continue tracking northwest or north. It could threaten some part of the U.S. Gulf Coast by Labor Day.”
Representatives of nearly every public entity gathered at the EMA Thursday morning for a conference call with the Jackson office of the National Weather Service.
“Anything can happen,” McKennon said. “We don't have the luxury of waiting. This is a holiday weekend and people will be leaving town." McKennon also said that since it is a holiday weekend, preparations will probably be stepped up Friday and Saturday, after forecasters have a better idea of Gustav’s projected path.
“A lot of people are preparing and I really appreciate it,” McKennon said. “People are getting prepared. They are buying the water and food.”
McKennon said FEMA got out of the “ice business” after Katrina due to not doing a good job. He said the state has assumed that responsibility. “ But f we don't lose water, (and) we don't lose power, we don't have that need."
He urged city and county officials to clear ditches and drainage systems.
“Make sure everything is cleaned out — no debris that can clog up our drainage system."
If Gustav causes trees to fall across road and highways, the EMA’s priority is for one lane to be open to begin. “The intention is to open one lane to pass,” he said, stressing that emergency response vehicles — such as fire trucks and ambulances — will have the need to respond wherever necessary during an emergency.
McKennon said most injuries during a storm of this nature occur once the storm has passed, as people begin to clear debris. “Traditionally more people get hurt after a storm than during a storm.” He said all emergency response vehicles will be parked if sustained winds reach 50 mph. “We will need them more after the storm than during the storm.”
He stressed to all business and employers to “make sure your employees know this thing is coming.”
Andy Dial, Beat Four Supervisor and president of the board of supervisors, said, We need to stress people need to stay at home."
McKennon said citizens should have a battery-powered radio or TV in case power is lost. He said they need to keep up with what the storm is doing, and also to listen for local news bulletins.

Photos

Several volunteers helping the families of suspected illegal immigrants arrested during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at Howard Industries Monday were taking the advice of local officials to prepare for Gustav literally. Members of NAACP branches in Jones and Wayne counties, along with other members of the community, will continue a supply drive and distribution this weekend. Assistance has been offered from across the local area and several other states. Volunteers say there is still a need for canned food and baby items, including diapers, formula, and milk. Elsy Velez and Anthony Edmonson are shown sorting boxes.