MDOT urges coastal residents to plan for hurricanes

HATTIESBURG, MISS. – Hurricane season is officially underway and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging South Mississippi residents to prepare now.

“After a quiet June, the tropics are starting to heat up as we move into July,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “You can count on a tropical storm or hurricane entering the Gulf over the coming months. By taking the time to prepare now, you’ll be well ahead of the curve when a storm threatens.”

The 2022 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide is an essential resource and just a click away. Download the guide at GoMDOT.com/hurricanes or order a free printed copy today at GoMDOT.com/maps. Evacuation Guides are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

The MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide features helpful information such as evacuation routes, contraflow information, Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio coverage areas and important contact information for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as well as bordering state DOTs and highway patrols. Vital information on shelters, pet care, lodging and travel resources is also included.

MDOT encourages residents to plan where to stay now in the event of an evacuation. Hotel rooms near evacuated areas may not be available, so residents are encouraged to plan to stay with family or friends not in the affected area when possible. It’s vital that residents let family, friends and neighbors know their evacuation plans to make it easier to get in touch with them if needed.

Knowing evacuation routes ahead of time is another important aspect of hurricane preparedness. MDOT’s Hurricane Evacuation Guide includes a map with more than 20 evacuation routes from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In the event of an evacuation, major roadways such as U.S. Highway 49 will be heavily congested. Using the guide, residents can map out alternate routes to avoid traffic and reach their destinations safely.

For more hurricane safety tips, visit GoMDOT.com/hurricanes.

During the storm, the public can stay updated on live travel and weather information 24/7 with MDOT’s free travel resources. Visit MDOTtraffic.com or download the MDOT Traffic mobile app.

Follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter along with the hashtag #HurricanePrep this hurricane season