Casino resorts, Keesler announce storm plans

The two mainstays of Biloxi’s economy, the casino resort industry and Keesler Air Force Base, have announced storm plans.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission says casino resorts in Biloxi and south Mississippi will close to patrons at 7 a.m. Sunday, and Keesler has ordered all non-storm essential personnel to plan to evacuate Sunday.

Biloxi is home to eight casino resorts, with about 12,000 employees and several thousand hotel rooms.

At Keesler, the 81st Training Wing commander at Keesler has issued an evacuation order for all non-storm essential employees and all family members Sunday, no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 6 p.m

All non-storm mission essential personnel and their dependents residing within 75 miles of Keesler AFB are ordered, (and civilians and their dependents residing within 75 miles of Keesler AFB are authorized), to evacuate.

Evacuating personnel should move at least 150 miles and no more than 750 miles from Keesler, the commander said.

Technical training classes for Tuesday have been cancelled.

For more information on the Keesler order,
click here.

Harrison Central school grounds to hold pets

The Humane Society of South Mississippi will provide a shelter for domesticated pets on the grounds of Harrison Central High School, at 15600 School Road north of Gulfport, opening at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Pet-owners themselves must use the school shelter, and must bring the pet in a crate or kennel, provide its food and water for three days, medical record, and a plastic bag for the pet’s waste.

Pet owners will not be able to bring their pets into the high school. The society also recommends bringing the pet’s toy or a favorite object.

Latest tracking info, advisories

For the latest tracking on Gustav, courtesy of the National Hurricane Center, click here.

To see the hurricane center’s hurricane wind probabilities over the next 120 hours, click here.

For storm preparation information, click here.

Bmail transmissions will resume Sunday.