Posted on 11/20/2005 4:56:23 PM PST by caryatid
GULFPORT, Miss. --Gulfport and its neighboring towns -- from Waveland in the west to Pascagoula in the east -- were epicenters of destruction when Katrina came ashore Aug. 29. But more than two months later, with the reconstruction in full swing, Gulfport has the feel of a latter-day frontier boomtown.
At night, restaurants ... are packed, with hourlong waits for tables and a lively, manly bar scene....
Gulfport has a semi-intact infrastructure of motels, restaurants and retail stores ... shakily supporting the migrants who have flocked here to help rebuild and make a buck.
About a quarter of the city's 26,000 housing units were destroyed ... by Katrina. The pre-storm population was 72,000, but officials have no idea how many people are living in the city now. ...
"People who work long, hard shifts, they get out, they want to let off a little steam," said Gulfport Police Capt. Pat Pope, ... "It's the Wild West, Tombstone. ... The streets are safe, things aren't out of control, but we do have a drug problem."
Money is fueling the activity. Insurance settlements and cash payments from FEMA and the Red Cross have many locals feeling flush. Workers labor from dawn to dusk six or seven days a week and have money burning in their pockets.
[T]hree men [who] work in a Florida junkyard [were] [a]sked what kind of work they would seek in Gulfport, [and] responded: "Anything that pays good."
Law enforcement officials blame newcomers for a surge in drinking and drug offenses.
And while each day brings recovery another day closer, everyone acknowledges it will be months -- if not years -- before Gulfport returns to its relatively placid pre-storm pace.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(Excerpt) Read more at wwltv.com ...
The same here east of you in Bayou La Batre and Dauphin Island, Alabama. Everyone is working together and helping each other, a lot of niceness is breaking out all over. Building materials keep running short though
. The city and county of Mobile has experienced a 50% increase in tax revenues, which the politicians are already fussing about.
"Doesn't seem to be such great news..."
You must be a "glass is half empty" kinda guy. ;o)
"Three Cheers for Mississippi."
Big ole bump!
Good post!
Thank you!
"and still no mention of the 800 bodies PING"
LOL!
And, still no mention of the 800 bodies BUMP!
"Drug problems before and after the storm, nothing changed on this, lots and lots of meth."
Missippy is not unlike any other area.
There's lots and lots of meth everywhere.
Thank you for all of your posts.
We need you to set the record straight.
I am very proud of the way Mississippians have handled the hurricane's aftermath.
But, I am not surprised they've handled things so well.
You have been a wonderful addition to the MS ping list. ;o)
"Everyone is working together and helping each other, a lot of niceness is breaking out all over."
The good folks of Alabama have been handling Katrina's aftermath extremely well, too.
I am very proud of y'all, though I'm not surprised.
MS/AL residents are cut from the same cloth.
Yes, while we are at it, lets move all coastal cities inland. While we are at it, we must completely abandon California, too. Big history of destructive earthquakes htere. Let's not forget aabout those midwestern states with their destructive tornadoes and history of floods on the Mississippi River valley.
I swear, some people on this board are just priceless. The money spent on disaster-relief is a drop in the bucket compared to the ongoing disaster that is the failed welfare state. Why don't you tell me exactly how much of YOUR tax money is going to this relief effort? I suppose if this hadn't happened, you would still have that money? Are you so ignorant as to actually think that?
Those "idiots" you refer to are my family and friends who work hard, pay their taxes and vounteer to defend this nation.
Tell you what buddy, let something like this happen to you or your loved ones. I wouldn't cross the street to take a leak on you if you were on fire.
I understand now. I hate waste, but I also have no problem helping the truly needy. Thanks for your clarification!
LLS
Thanks! I am indeed with family on our ping list!
Happy Thanksgiving!
LLS
Your explanation is the same as what I've heard in Oklahoma after the tornadoes. No one I know received any "free FEMA" money. There were loans, with interest but no $$$ handed out. I did hear of some people receiving sandwiches for several days and some people getting help in cleaning up the mess on their property--that might have been FEMA but more likely our area Baptists (no, I'm not a Baptist)who seem to flock to disasters and work like they are being paid triple overtime.
That is sad. But at least we know Gulfport is coming back.
I agree. I have been through in the past, and was very impressed on the friendliness of all.
Usually, yes, except when it comes to our President. With him, I know the glass IS full, and we know exactly what's in the glass.
I hope I can give MFH a migraine.
LOL!
You are such a mess. ;o)
Bumping your excellent comment!
BTW, thank you for your service.
Your children are very cute.
My pirate name is Red Mary Flint. ;o)
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