I wish I had known that you had roots (of sort) in Mississippi, I would have asked for some input. I loved what you did on West Virginia.
I have not experienced a hurricane, but I have lived through a wild typhoon who's eye went directly over the island of Guam when I was a kid. Winds that were bending the palm trees all the way over to the ground. Of course, I was only six and didn't know enough to be afraid. Everything is an adventure to a six year old.
BTW, my only son is the same age as your youngest. Mine born in February of '69. :-)
((((((((Nan)))))))))