At 1 p.m. the National Hurricane Center provided the following update on Hurricane Marco:
A little further behind is Laura:
On Saturday, Governor Tate Reeves issued a State of Emergency as coastal Mississippi prepares for potentially life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain, and high winds.
With the governor’s declaration, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has enacted the Emergency Management Assistance Compact with the state of Florida. An emergency management team from Florida will assist Mississippi with a non-congregate sheltering plan.
Because of COVID-19, MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel is urging citizens to use public shelters as a last resort. Non-congregate shelters provide a more long-term sheltering option if its deemed necessary. The use of the non-congregate shelter plan is dependent upon the intensity and damage these storms may bring to the state.
Have a question about shelters during a pandemic? Here’s a guide to help.
If you are located in any area which could feel the effects of either hurricane, it is important to develop a family emergency plan, learn evacuation routes, and assemble a three to five-day disaster supply kit to include:
- Flashlight and battery-powered radio with additional batteries.
- Canned and non-perishable food.
- Bottled water.
- Toiletry items.
- Pet food and pet supplies.
- Medicine and prescription medication.
- Copies of important family papers and documents.
- Personal protective equipment
MEMA has compiled a vast amount of information on hurricane preparedness to help you think through everything during a stressful time.
The National Hurricane Center video below provides a good overview of what we can expect from Marco and Laura in the near future.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi. 231 lives were lost, thousands of homes were destroyed, and damage totals rose to the billions. Katrina, while much larger than Marco and Laura, is a reminder of why it is so important to take any hurricane seriously.
