Key speakers share roles in hurricane prep in D’Iberville

The D’Iberville/St. Martin Chamber of Commerce held a Hurricane Awareness Business-to-Business event to share some key information about preparing for these storms.

New and old business owners, city officials, and first responders gathered at the D’Iberville Town Green to listen to speakers from three key organizations in hurricane response during the storm season: the Hurricane Hunters, Coastal Transit Authority, and MDOT.

The first speaker was Air Force Lt. Col. Sean Cross, who shared the organization’s role including collecting data from inside storms. He also provided graphs and photos that show the impact these storms can have. “We’ve had some small hurricanes that have come through here. We had Zeta a few years ago, but it kind of puts everything in perspective to let you see just how devastating and how intense the damage can be.”

The second speaker was CTA Executive Director Kevin Coggin, who shared his organization’s role in hurricane response which includes providing ground transportation in Harrison County to and from storm shelters as well as providing transportation to those who lost vehicles during the storm. “Whatever the community needs, it’s our responsibility to provide it and give them access to help whatever they may need”

Finally, MDOT PIO Anna Ehrgott shared information on her organization’s impact on the road, such as controlling contraflow on Highway I-55 and I-59. They also provide assistance to first responders by clearing the roads during and after a storm to give emergency drivers easier access to their destinations. “Now is the time to prepare… way beforehand is also the time to prepare. We just want to make sure that people know what to do before a hurricane hits and they’re prepared.”