With any luck, the majority of the damage will be roofs and trees, like Charley and Frances. Hope for the best, plan for the worst. FWIW, other than the barrier islands, computer analysis doesn't indicate that huge areas were subject to surge effects. Anecdotal reports are calling it at 15 to 16 feet so far.
I notice that I-10 also crosses a smaller bay about 8 miles east of where we already know it failed. Regardless of whether that other bridge was affected, expect it to be closed until it can be inspected. Same probably goes for the highway 90 and the railroad bridge.
FEMA's going to have to do significant re-routing in the early stages of hauling in aid.
Significant challenges to say the least.
Hwy 90 barely accomdates the local traffic since the new Superwalmart and Home Depot came in. Now rerouting all the traffic that normally flows through I-10 through the communities of Milton, Pea Ridge, and Pace will be tough indeed. This is an area where one could still easily count the traffic lights! It just isn't suitable for heavy traffic.
There are no nearby alternate routes for traffic flowing on I-10. Look at the regional maps. Cut I-10 at Pensacola and you really impact all east-west traffic.
Seriesly, this is hugh. Hugher than anyone not local can imagine. And I'm trying to keep some humor, so that the moose won't eat my cheese. I guess I'll take a shower.