Harrison County Civil Defense Director Linda Rouse has ordered a mandatory evacuation of all areas south of Interstate 10, plus low-lying areas near rivers and streams north of I-10.
The order also applies to all residents of manufactured or mobile homes anywhere in Harrison County.
Residents should complete evacuation by noon Wednesday, if at all possible.
A mandatory evacuation is a legal order to all people in affected areas, directing them to leave those locales and seek shelter elsewhere.
“Go as far north as you can,” Rouse said in a release issued at 11:23 a.m.. “Shelters in Harrison County are your last resort.
“Failing to evacuate puts lives at grave risk. Remember, if you stay, you give up all chance of medical, police or fire rescue. If you refuse to leave, you will be asked to complete a form from the coroner’s office identifying the people in the household.”
Residents should tune to local media and public radio stations, such as FM 90.3 in Biloxi for shelter information.
Shelters in Harrison County should be open by 4 p.m. To verify if a shelter is open, call 865-4127.
The shelters are
Biloxi:
Gorenflo Elementary School, Lameuse Street
o North Bay Elementary School, 1825 Popp’s Ferry Road;
o Popp’s Ferry Elementary School, 364 Trafalgar Drive and
Gulfport
o Central Middle School on 42nd Avenue and
o Central Elementary School, 1043 Pass Road.
Long Beach:
o Quarles Elementary School, 111 Quarles Street.
Unincorporated areas of Harrison County:
o Good Deeds Community Center, 15101 Madison Street, Gulfport;
o Harrison Elementary School, 15451 Dedeaux Road, Gulfport;
o Harrison Central High School, 15600 School Road, Gulfport;
o Lizana Elementary School, 15341 Lizana School Road;
o Saucier Elementary School, 24052 First Street, Saucier;
o West Wortham K – 8 School, 20199 W. Wortham Road;
o Harrison Central Ninth Grade, 10463 Klein Road, Gulfport;
o Orange Grove Elementary School, 11391 Old Highway 49, Gulfport;
o Three Rivers Elementary, 13500 Three Rivers Road;
o Woolmarket Elementary School, 12513 John Lee Road; and
o Lyman Elementary School, 14222 Old Highway 49, Gulfport.
Among the items that evacuees should bring to shelters:
• Ready-to-eat food for three days;
• Bottled water (one gallon per person for three days);
• Medications;
• Baby food, diapers and other infant needs;
• Pillows and blankets;
• Battery-powered TV or radio;
• Books, magazines, board games and toys.
Pets, alcohol and firearms are not allowed at shelters.
