Preparing an Evacuation Route

The 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is just two weeks away and so is the peak of South Mississippi’s hurricane season. If you and your family need to evacuate any time soon, do you know which way to go?
Katrina and Camille: just two of the deadly hurricanes that have claimed the lives of hundreds of Mississippians. The death toll would be even higher had it not been for those who evacuated beforehand, but even that can take its toll, especially if you’re not prepared. Harrison County Fire Chief Pat Sullivan said, “We’ve had horror stories where people have been in their car for 12 to 15 hours.”
Sullivan says when hurricanes forced people to evacuate in the past, major north-bound thorough fares, like Highway 49, were packed with vehicles. “People tend to wait until the last minute and then they get on the road thinking that they’re going to quickly move from one place to another and they find that all this traffic is out there.”
The peak of hurricane season is quickly approaching and staying up to date with the latest evacuation routes could be critical for survival. Leaders with MDOT say planning is key. MDOT Public Information Officer Michael Flood said, “We do advise that residents put a hurricane preparedness plan together now. Waiting until that storm is announced is just too late.”
Regardless of a storm’s projected path, MDOT officials say always travel north. Finding the best route for you is right at the tips of your fingers, just check out MDOT’s evacuation guide or website. “There’s options available from pretty much every direction of the state,” said Flood.
MDOT has updated packets that are available at local convenient stores. Inside is a map of the hurricane evacuation routes to take in case a hurricane does happen you have a plan and you’re ready to go. “What I recommend is that you already have a plan today,” said Sullivan.