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Thursday, September 01, 2005

Mississippi Power update

Mississippi Power energized an esential 50-mile section of transmission lines that serve the southern portions of our area Wednesday, according to a press release. Power has been restored to about 14,000 of the company's 195,000 customers, mainly in Meridian and Laurel.

More than 4,000 workers are here, with another 1,000 to arrive shortly. More than 700 miles of lines are on the ground. At least 4,500 poles need replacing and thousands more need reparing. Estimates are that nearly 70 percent of the company's facilities suffered significant damage, especially in the Coastal and Pine Belt region.

They request folks stay off the road to help repair crews be able to get around.

Customers who see dangerous situations should call (800) ITS-DARK (800-487-3275).

posted at # 11:06 AM

Hancock Bank branches

Hancock Bank has branches open now:
Cowan Road at Pass Road, Gulfport
Crossroads at I-10/US 49, Gulfport
Downtown Ocean Springs
East Pacagoula on Highway 90
Diamondhead

They say they have ample cash and tellers, but won't have ATMs for a while.

posted at # 11:04 AM

Peoples Bank

Outsiders, please help us get information to us Coastians. We post this knowing that nobody's got internet access here, but if friends or family call you, you can relay this stuff back in. Calls go out, but they can't get in. (Sounds like a Raid commercial, eh?)

This one's about Peoples Bank. It will be open today, noon-4 p.m. and again Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. They hope to resume normal hours Tuesday, and they're accepting deposits and cashing checks only.

The following locations are open:
WEst Biloxi Branch on Pass Road, Biloxi
Cedar Lake Branch on Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi
Main Office on Lameuse Street, downtown Biloxi

Other branchss will open when they can.

All employees who haven't contacted the bank are urged to do so. Call Jackie Henson (435-8205) or the employee hotline (435-8419). If you can't do that, contact a co-worker and pass the word along.

posted at # 10:59 AM

Fatality update

According to Joe Spraggins, Harrison County's Emeregency Management director, here is an update on fatalities in the area:

Harrison County: 56 (as of 7 p.m. Wednesday)
Hancock County: 17
Jackson County: 10 (Communications shaky, tentative number)
Pearl River County: 17 (Communications shaky, tentative number)

posted at # 10:56 AM

News blurbs

As of 10 a.m. from WLOX and radio reports:

-- Gulf Coast Rescue Mission, one block north of WLOX and the Sun Herald on DeBuys Road, has clothing to give our. They have a walk-in freezer and can hold perishable items for people. They are receiving food (canned and perishable) and money to hand out.

-- Humane Society is under water. Animals are crowded in the ruins and need food and water. The new shelter on US 49 looks good, although it's not been completed yet. They may move some animals there. They need volunteers.

-- Stennis Space Center personnel call (831) 656-4327. If you can't, report to the Naval Oceanographic Office.

-- Rich Westfall from the Isle of Capri Casino says the first priority for employees is to take care of youself. There's extensive damage throughout the property, but it's one of the few that stayed in place. Call (800) 843-4753 for updates.

posted at # 10:34 AM