Six months since tornado struck Moss Point

Tuesday would make 6 months since the June tornado that struck the Moss Point community.

“That’s what we take from this,” said Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight. “Even though it as a bad situation and we hate it happened. But let’s take this tragedy and use it as an opportunity to make it better.”

Six months have passed since a tornado ripped through the city of Moss Point. But since the clearing of debris, hope has shed a new light on residents working to rebuilt their homes and lives.

“So happy, elated, and this is something that I’ve been wanting for a long time and I give all the credit to God,” said Betty Holloway, a resident of Moss Point.

Holloway is one of the few Moss Point residents being assisted by the Amish, who are with Disaster Aid Ohio under Mennonite Disaster Services.

Along with the help of The Gentlemen, Holloway is going to receive a new home after months of not knowing what the future holds.

A few blocks away, Treesy Mann is preparing for her home to be demolished and then rebuilt – standing since 1808.

“I was so use to being in the house as it is but not knowing the amount of damage that the house had sustained prior to the storm and then during the storm,” said Mann “It really just brought everything to the light.”

Mayor Billy Knight says it’s evident some things will not be the same as they once were.

He says his focus is to rebuilt, but to also continue to revitalize the downtown district of Moss Point and foster economic development on I-10 and the Highway 613 exit.

“There will be spots and pockets of the area which will be different that you know people do remember this time before, and it’s not looking that way now, because they didn’t come back the way they were,” said Mayor Knight. “That could be a good thing in some cases. And sometimes they may not be but I think in most cases it’s gonna be good. It’s going to be much better than it was before.”

One thing that is for certain after 6 months is the city of Moss Point is resilient and that unwanted change can still bring out positive outcomes.

“Neighborly and look out for one another it’s kind of hard to find those kinds of people,” said Holloway. “And I find that in these people right here, the Amish people. ”