Updated storm info now online; other news and notes

The city’s annual Storm & Flood Preparedness guide, which contains 12 pages of information to help you prepare for the hurricane season, is now online and due in the mail by June 5, earlier than ever published.

Mayor A.J. Holloway bumped up release of the publication earlier this week, coinciding with the National Hurricane Center’s announcement Tuesday that this season could produce 13 to 17 tropical storms, with seven to 10 of them becoming hurricanes.

“We’ve always been guided by the policy of giving our residents as much information as possible so they can take the appropriate action in a timely manner,” Holloway said. “Sending out this storm-preparation information now is just following up on that practice.”

Now, the mayor added, is the time for residents to begin making their personal plans for the storm season.

The 12-page guide includes a timeline for when local storm advisories will be issued, a hurricane-tracking map, information about flood insurance, evacuation routes, and a step-by-step plan on what residents need to do to prepare for hurricanes.

The online version of the Storm & Flood Preparedness guide was posted online this afternoon. To see the guide, which is in the storm info section of the city’s web site, click here.

Council next meets on June 5

The Biloxi City Council’s next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, June 5 at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. The month’s schedule also includes meetings on June 12 and 19, but no meeting on June 26, to allow the mayor and council members to attend the Mississippi Municipal League annual meeting, which will be in Biloxi. To see councilmembers’ contact info and ward lines, click here.

Shrimp Fest, Blessing on tap next weekend

One of city’s cherished traditions, the Biloxi Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, takes place June 2-3 off the Biloxi peninsula. The weekend-long celebration will feature a race of the Biloxi schooners and the Sunday afternoon blessing of a brightly decorated shrimping fleet.

To read more about the event, click here.

News and notes

Webcasting: Bay Press Editor Gene Coleman asks quesitons about issues covered in this week’s City Council meeting in the weekly “City Desk” webcast. To listen, click here.

Fresh stats: The city’s reports on debris-removal and condominium development status have been updated to reflect May numbers. To see the city’s online stats package, where you’re find links to those reports, click here.

Weekend events: Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country are in town this weekend for the Asgard All-Harley Memorial Day Weekend Blowout. To find out more about the event, click here. Meantime, Biloxi Little Theater wraps up its season at its Lee Street Playhouse. For show information, click here.

Chainsaw artist: Dayton Scoggins, the Mississippi-born chainsaw artist whom the city commissioned to create the sculptures on Beach Boulevard a couple blocks west of the Biloxi Lighthouse, will be in town next week to wrap up work on a standing dead tree on U.S. 90 near St. George. To see video and photos of the previous work, click here.

Ward 2 meeting: Councilman Bill Stallworth is hosting a meeting for residents of Ward 2 on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.