This has a new update from the MS coast. I posted this info on a thread I started, but thought it might be helpful for others here too:
General News Update
By Perry Hicks- Filed 9/1/05
Updated 9/3/05 Keith Burton
Keith Burton reports from Biloxi that a massive relief effort is underway to arrive in Coast are by this weekend.
Highway 49- open
Pass Road- Open
Highway 90- impassible at any point in Harrison and Hancock Counties. Open in Jackson County.
Interstate 110 bridge- open
Travel Note: Due to the high number of debris along the Coast's roads, tire failures are very possible. All travel to the beach and areas south of the railroad tracks is restricted or prohibited. I-10 is open east to Mobile. Highway 49 is open to areas north.
Utilities - Power is out coastwide and telephones service is intermittent or non-existent to many homes due to trees on lines. Phone service is improving daily but calling into the Coast area is expected to be difficult, calling out sometimes works. Service for cell phones is also improving since the storm but calls within the area and long distance are inconsistent. Water service is at a bare minimum and the is not drinkable anywhere on the Coast. The pressure is very low due to the open pipes from destroyed homes and businesses. Sewage facilities non-functioning due to low water pressure, no power and proximity to the heavily damaged shoreline. Raw sewage is entering the surrounding Coast waters. Lift stations to pump sewage is offline due to flooding damages and lack of electrical power.
Local area gasoline currently not available.
Biloxi/Gulfport - Catastrophic damages to entire beachfront. Entire Point Cadet area from around Lee Street east leveled. Back Bay shoreline homes and businesses destroyed or severely damaged on both the Biloxi peninsula and along Back Bay. Numerous buildings well inland destroyed or severely damaged. Gulfport port leveled. All casinos severely damaged. Numerous apartments damaged from wind. Neighborhoods throughout the Coast that didn't suffer from the storm surge experienced very heavy damages from wind and falling trees. Beachfront hotels, restaurants, shops, homes...gone. Highway 90, the beachfront highway. Severely washed out and unpassable. Popps Ferry Bridge in Biloxi unusable. Highway 90 Bridge from Biloxi to Ocean Springs destroyed. I-110 bridge ok.
D'Iberville - Homes and businesses immediately along the Back Bay destroyed by storm surge. The destruction follows a line east and west from the I-110 exit to D'Iberville.
Long Beach- Beachfront and business district through Jefferson Davis Avenue largely destroyed. K-Mart destroyed.
Bay Saint Louis- Old town and beach front homes heavily damaged or destroyed from storm surge and high winds. Interior neighborhoods severely damaged from high winds and fallen tree. Highway 90 Bay St. Louis Bridge from Pass Christian destroyed.
Picayune- Heavy wind and tree damage
Popularville- Heavy wind and tree damage
Pascagoula- Interior in pretty good shape and city trying to restore services. Coastal areas heavily damaged by storm surge. Downtown was flooded, but waters have receded.
Gautier - Destruction of homes and businesses south of Highway 90 near a large section of low-lying land along the shore. Heavy wind and tree damage.
Ocean Springs - Destruction of beachfront and bayou area homes and apartments, heavy wind damages,
Pass Christian - Severe damages from storm surge and winds. Beachfront homes destroyed or severely damaged. Downtown area in ruins. Homes along bayous floods and severely damaged or destroyed.
Wiggins - Heavy wind and tree damages. Power failure from winds and fallen trees.
Hattiesburg - Heavy wind and tree damages.
GCN will update as information is available.
Great info - thanks.
Anger Against State Officials
http://www.thedeadpelican.com/festering.htm