Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich and the Biloxi City Council declared a state of emergency in Biloxi this afternoon, a measure that authorizes the mayor to do all things necessary to deal with the expected torrential downpour from Tropical Storm Barry.
“We’re expecting more severe thunderstorms,” said Andy Mason Biloxi Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations. “Residents in low-lying areas should continue to monitor weather reports. We’re not in the cone of probability for the high winds, like some areas of Louisiana, but we still need to be vigilant about paying attention to weather reports until this storm is no longer a threat.”
The National Weather Service, meantime, has issued a host of advisories, including a Tropical Storm Watch in effect for east of the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
The state of emergency declared in Biloxi this afternoon grants the mayor broad authority in making emergency purchases and using city personnel and equipment as needed and where needed to minimize the threat to the health and safety of city residents.
See the emergency declaration
Video: See today’s meeting
See the extended weather forecast and advisories
See real-time radar
News & notes: Sand bags locations, podcast
Sand bags: Self-serve sand bags (bring your own shovel) are available at the following locations: 2150 Popp’s Ferry Road, across from Margaret Sherry Library, Biloxi Fire Station 8, 8479 Woolmarket Road and Biloxi Fire Station 9, 9370 Oaklawn Road.
City Desk: Community Development Director Jerry Creel guests on this week’s installment of the City Desk podcast to talk about the development and growth in Biloxi. To listen, click here.
