For the past eight years, the last week of August has reminded us of one of the most devastating events in our state’s history.  The arrival of Hurricane Katrina on our shores took lives, destroyed communities, and left a swath of damage unprecedented in its magnitude.

Memories of the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history are still painful, but looking back also reaffirms the resilience of our coastal communities.  In some areas, like the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, this anniversary marks a full recovery.  In other places, the work continues to rebuild critical infrastructure and restore natural resources.

The National Weather Service has warned that this year’s peak hurricane season, which runs from August to October, could be especially active.  But we can be confident in Mississippi’s ability to persevere despite extraordinary circumstances.  Recovery efforts have made positive gains in the ways we prepare for and manage extreme weather. 

Reducing the Risk

Mitigation projects are one important way to reduce the risks of hurricane and storm damage, such as the impact of storm surge and flooding.  Earlier this year, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act – a long-overdue step toward upgrading America’s ports and water infrastructure.  This comprehensive piece of legislation also includes the advancement of unfinished storm protection projects initiated after Hurricane Katrina.  These projects, part of the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, are a powerful line of defense for communities along the Gulf Coast.  Once completed, they promise to help keep Mississippians safe.

Last year, we saw what a difference storm preparedness can make.  Despite Hurricane Isaac’s heavy rain and strong winds, the newly completed seawall in Bay St. Louis did exactly what it was supposed to do, protecting beachfront businesses and homes from greater damage.  The same was true for the city’s new power poles and lines constructed after Katrina, which withstood Isaac’s fury and prevented many residents from losing electricity.   

Tracking the Storm

Not all storm preparedness, however, is related to infrastructure improvements.  Saving lives and property also depends on accurately tracking the trajectory and intensity of severe weather before it strikes.  The world-class 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi continues to fulfill this mission, providing valuable data for forecasters to chart a hurricane’s development and path.  Known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” the aircrews have been flying into tropical storms and hurricanes since World War II.

Becoming a ‘Weather-Ready Nation’

There is no doubt that we need all hands on deck to become a “Weather-Ready Nation.”  As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recognized, coordination and communication are essential to ensuring weather forecasts and warnings are properly understood and disseminated.  The agency stresses the need for strategic partnerships among government, business, academic, and nonprofit groups.  It also calls on families and individuals to take an active role in protecting themselves against the next big storm.  NOAA recommends knowing your weather risks, developing an emergency plan, and encouraging others to be prepared.  For more information, please visit nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/force.

The arrival of peak hurricane season and the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina are poignant reminders of the serious threats we face.  But the forecast for Mississippi is far from discouraging.  Time and again, our communities have proved their determination and strength.