Ike Causes More Road and School Closures in Coastal Counties
From: MEMA   Filed 9/12/08 10:50 a.m.  GCN

PEARL – Flooding and severe weather conditions from Hurricane Ike caused road and school closures today.

In Hancock County, 2nd Street Elementary and North Bay Elementary will close at 12:30 p.m. today. Bay High School and Bay Middle School will close early at 2 p.m. Pass Christian schools are also closed.

Mississippi Emergency Management Director Mike Womack said people need to be on alert for rising water and wind gusts.

“Our coast residents need to be cautious and stay away from flooded roads,” Womack said. “Even though this storm is making landfall in Texas, we need to take its impacts on Mississippi residents seriously.”

Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties are still under a tropical storm warning, meaning that storm force winds (up to 40 miles per hour) with stronger gusts are possible in the next 24 hours.

Three safe-haven shelters are open for residents needing to seek higher ground:

• Jackson County:  Gautier Convention Center (housing five residents).
• Hancock County:  Lagniappe Church (currently has 32 residents).
• Harrison County:  Lyman Center (currently has two residents).

Additional highway closures:

• Ingalls Access on and exit at U.S. 90 in Jackson County.
• Hwy 618 at Grierson Street.
• Hwy 613 at south end of Escatawpa Bridge in Moss Point.
• U.S. 90 from 607 to La. state line.
• U.S. 90 from Hancock County line to Bay St. Louis Bridge.
• U.S. 90 from Biloxi Bay Bridge to Hancock County Line.
• Various areas of U.S. 90 through Harrison County.

Residents are reminded:

• Do not drive on a flooded road.
• Don’t attempt to wade across a flowing stream that is above your knees.
• Don’t allow children to play in standing water.  It may be contaminated with chemicals or sewage.  

• Turn to radio or television or NOAA Weather Radio for flood warnings.
• Obey warnings from emergency officials.
• Be cautious and avoid flood prone areas when traveling.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. For more information call 866-920-MEMA or visit our Web site at www.msema.org.