Offshoreonly.com - Just got back from Biloxi/GulfPort/Bay St Loius Area

Just to let everyone know, I just got back from working for the past 48 hours in Harrison County (Gulfport). I have been working for the Harrison County Coronors Office so I have had access to pretty much eveywhere you can get. The center of operations for the area is pretty much here for the adjoining counties (Hancock to the West and Jackson to the East). I can't begin to describe the amount of damage. It appears that in some places the water really got over 30 feet deep. Debres piles 1/2 of mile inland 15 feet high.
As I was driving home late last night, I got a phone call that 20 people were rescued from under a pile of rubble in Gulfport, so there is hope. Trust me there is a tremendous amount of rescue, support, etc., services in the area right now. It is going to take a little while to get everything in place, but there is a plan, I spent a good portion of the day in the EMA office in Harrison County yesterday and saw it in action. If you have a missing loved one or know of someone who has a missing loved one, please call the county EMA office in which they live and give the information to the police as they are compiling a list. I will be going back tommorrow (Friday) to work through Tuesday. Communication is bad at best, two-way Nextel seems to work near I-10 and Southern Link two-way and cell works sporadically. You cound not get out to any local area numbers from the area, but we could get outside calls in. For those who know Randy Nevers, I spoke with him yesterday, he lives in Bay St. Louis, MS and says he and family are fine, but have lost everything and probably going to have to relocate.
I have co-workers on the way to Gonzalez, La to help with the set up operations for all of the displaced families and try to work there way into Orleans Parish.
I will keep updates as they become availible, the is no power or fuel south of I-10 in MS right now and as I said the plan is there and is being implemented as fast as it can.
If you want to do something remember the immediate resources are there. Think about the long term recovery and what is going to happen when the immediate resources leave. Think about six months from now when you are asked to help. The disbursment agencies will get overwhelmed with donations and some may go to waste right now due to not being able to get them where they need to go due to damaged roads or blockage. I have been told there are several Offshore teams willing to send relief help and I will let the powers that be in the EMA command centers aware of these gestures and get contact information from them when I go back in the morning (9-2-05) and post it as soon as possible so that arraingements can be made for these donations

Keep the faith.

Be Safe and be Smart,

Sam Jackson