The city’s declaration of a state of emergency should not alarm residents, Mayor A.J. Holloway says, but it should encourage them to take appropriate action in preparing for the threat of Tropical Storm Lee.
The City Council voted this afternoon to declare a state of emergency, a measure that gives the mayor broader authority in dealing with the storm. A state of emergency also is one of the benchmarks used in determining any storm-related expenses that could be reimbursed by the federal government.
“It’s like we announced earlier today,” the mayor said. “Don’t under estimate the threat, and don’t overestimate it. Take prudent action – secure lawn furniture, remove any litter that could clog storm drains near your property – and do it now, before the weather deteriorates.”
Biloxi, incidentally, remains under a state of emergency from Hurricane Katrina since the city is still using temporary wastewater pumps at several beachfront locations. Additionally, the city continues to operate under a state of emergency that was declared in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.
To see an earlier Bmail about the city’s preparations and advice to residents, click here.
To see the latest on Tropical Storm Lee, click here.
Biloxi football game, classes to continue as scheduled
Biloxi Public Schools Superintendent Arthur McMillan says that the football game scheduled for tonight at the Biloxi High School campus – Biloxi vs. Gautier – remains on schedule for its 7:30 kickoff.
McMillan has also announced that classes are scheduled to be in session at the usual time on Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday on Monday.
In a letter to parents sent home with students this afternoon, McMillan wrote: “If conditions change, the Biloxi Public School District will notify you through local media and our Connect-Ed Calling System concerning school closure. We will also post any closure on our District web-site.”
To see the complete letter, click here.
Radio time: The Indians-Gators game this evening – and the game at Long Beach next week – will be carried live on FM 96.7 and AM 1640. The stations normally carry Gulfport games, but the Admirals have an open date this evening and play on Saturday next week.
News and notes
Weekend preview: To see the weekend entertainment lineup – yes, the Gulf Coast remains open for business – click here.
Webcasting: This week’s City Desk webcast was taped at the Visitors Center, where a “visitor” from Bay St. Louis weighed in on the new facility. Additionally, city historical administrator Bill Raymond discusses ongoing restoration projects, including the downtown façade program, the Saenger Theater, and, yes, the White House fountain is working again. To listen, click here.
Sand bags: Harrison County has announced that sand bags are available at four locations. The closest to Biloxi are at the farmer’s market pavilion off Auto Mall Parkway in D’Iberville or at the Cowan-Lorraine Road work center in Gulfport.
