State of Emergency declared for Ocean Springs

Mayor Connie Moran (D) and the Board of Aldermen have declared a state of emergency in Ocean Springs in anticipation of the landfall of soon-to-be Hurricane Isaac.  Here is the text of the press release, which contains sandbag, dumpster, and shelter information:



Mayor Connie Moran and the Board of Aldermen have officially declared a state of emergency in the City of Ocean Springs in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. At 4:00 pm today, Isaac was located at 24.2 N and 82.3 W with sustained winds of 60 mph, moving at 16 mph. It is expected to be upgraded to a category 1 hurricane tonight, and is projected to become a category 2 hurricane making landfall on Wednesday, August 29 at 7:00 am. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is officially under hurricane watch, and residents are urged to start making emergency preparations. Self-serve sandbags are available at Public Works, located at 712 Pine Drive.

Residents are strongly encouraged to secure loose items on their property, including potted plants and patio furniture, toys and all trash receptacles. Business owners should also bring any loose signs or banners inside. Please trim trees with loose limbs that could fall in a storm, as they can cause significant damage in hurricane winds. Public works will pick up debris trimmed by property owners, but contractors must haul their own debris.

“One of our greatest challenges is to ensure that the drainways flow freely,” said Deputy Fire Chief Nathaniel Wilson, Director of Emergency Operations. “These obstacles can become lodged in the culverts, causing flooding in neighborhoods.”

Delta Sanitation will place extra dumpsters in the following locations for garbage and spoiled food only (NO tree/limb debris or hazardous materials):
-Gay Lemon Park on Dena Road
-Ocean Springs Civic Center (3730 Bienville Road)
-Ocean Springs Harbor in the boat ramp area
-Trentwood subdivision (Park at Reilly Road and Shadowwood Drive)
-Ocean Springs Middle School (Hanshaw and Old Spanish Trail)
-Public Works (712 Pine Dr.)
-Woodhaven subdivision (Clay Boyd Park)
-Freedom Field (Porter Ave. and General Pershing)
-Alice Street (OS Recreation Center)
-Cherokee Glen and Rail Overpass
-Boat Ramp at Bristol Blvd. (Fort Bayou Estates)

Delta Sanitation will provide regular garbage pickup in the City of Ocean Springs on Monday, August 27. However, pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be postponed until after the storm has passed. Details will be announced or posted on the city website at www.oceansprings-ms.gov.

“Our main concern is for the safety of our citizens,” said Mayor Connie Moran. “Our officials, public safety officers and city staff will do all we can to ensure everyone is out of harm’s way.”
Residents may contact the Ocean Springs Emergency Operations Center at 3820 Bienville Blvd. at (228) 818-4438. Any city resident who requires transportation may call and the City will coordinate with Coast Transit Authority to provide this service free of charge. While evacuation is not mandatory, citizens in low lying areas, such as Lovers Lane, Front and East Beach, and other waterfront properties are strongly urged to seek higher ground or report to a shelter.

The shelter location for residents with special needs will be East Central Community Center in Hurley. Special needs patients are oxygen-dependent or have other medical needs that do not require hospitalization, and they must have a caregiver accompanying them. Please pre-register by calling American Red Cross at (228) 762-2455.
The shelter location for people who are elderly only will need to shelter in the general population shelters, such as St. Martin High School at 10800 Yellow Jacket Road. The only Jackson County pet shelter will be in one designated area of the shelter at Vancleave High School 12412 Hwy 57. Pets must be dropped off in their carriers with food, and owners must also stay at Vancleave High. Owners are responsible for feeding and walking their own pets.

City Hall personnel will relocate to the Emergency Operations Center at the new Ocean Springs Fire Station at 3820 Bienville Blvd. before and immediately after the storm. Please visit the city’s website at http://www.oceansprings-ms.gov/ for updates. Real time updates will be available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/oceanspringsms and on Twitter at OceanSpringsMS.