MS Coast and Katrina

[Tully Mars]

I just got back from a two-day working trip to the coast. Things are certainly starting to pick up but every time I go and see progress it reminds me of how far they have yet to go. I had a meeting with about a half-dozen department heads from a variety of local governments and one of the big topics of conversation was their continuing frustration with the process of getting things worked out with FEMA and the fact that the process continues to drag along.

I saw lots of new construction and even some single family residential construction but that was far outweighed by the commercial construction that is going on. It seems that housing is not being replaced quickly enough. At this rate it could be years before all are out of FEMA trailers and that, IMO, is inexcusable.

On the upside, I spent last night at the Beau Rivage and it is now as nice or nicer than it ever was. Still the best hotel on the coast IMO, although I was severely disappointed that the brew pub didn't make it into their redevelopment plans. That was one of my favorite parts of the Beau.

[SoMissTV]

The brew pub didn't make it?!?!?

crap...

[Maggie-Doodle]

We were in Waveland/Bay St. Louis on Oct. 2nd...it still looks like a major war zone. There are a few places being built back but not like I would have expected. I tell ya, there ain't nothing there anymore! I cried and cried, especially after I saw where the house was that I had wanted to buy....NOTHING left, not even the slab. There have been several new businesses open...Lowe's and Home Depot were the biggest...they will certainly make a killing when people do start building back.

I was kindda p.o.'ed with Waveland & the Bay...Habitat was wanting to build about 70 houses...the city admin denied them building permits because of lot sizes. They were approx. 5 feet less than what they should have been to meet zoning requirements so they nixed the permits. What they have to realize is that everyone doesn't want acre lots nor can they afford them. I understand putting those houses in upscale neighborhoods but where they were wanting to put the houses was in no way an upscale neighborhood. For Gods sake, 95% of Hancock County homeowners lost EVERYTHING...and a good portion didn't have flood insurance because alot of the houses were not in a flood zone....as far as I am concerned it is crime to berate them a house because of 5 feet. IF I were a voter down there I would seriously think about voting those mayors out of office come election time!

If you havn't been to Hancock County, it was just about totally destroyed... Almost every thing from the beach all the way up to Hwy 43 at Kiln had many feet of water as well as massive wind damage! For those of you who don't know the area, Hwy 43 is about 5 miles inland, maybe a little more.

[wilebill]

From what I've been reading, it's probably going to cost a lot more to rebuild houses, and not strictly because building materials have gone up. Most areas down there have had their flood maps redrawn so that to get above the flood zone and to be able to buy flood insurance, people have to build about 12' above the surrounding ground. This is going to increase the cost of construction and change the way the whole coast will look.

It's sad to think that the style of home construction that was prevalent along the coast before Katrina is gone forever from that area.

[Conveyor Belt]

It's sad to think that the style of home construction that was prevalent along the coast before Katrina is gone forever from that area.

some of it I will agree with you. Some of the homes that were washed away resembled homes in the cramped lots of ward 4 in Hattiesburg. I'm sorry those people lost their homes, but arcitecturally (?sp?), they were like Jim Walter specials...

[wilebill]

Well, I was specifically speaking of the ones right on Hwy 90, the older Antebellum style. You won't be able to duplicate that if it's on top of some 15' poles.

[Conveyor Belt]

Well, I was specifically speaking of the ones right on Hwy 90, the older Antebellum style. You won't be able to duplicate that if it's on top of some 15' poles.

I was pretty sure that's what you were referring to, but, lets face it, some of the stuff that got washed of 90 won't be missed by too many people.

[wilebill]

I feel kinda guilty about it now, but right before Katrina we went to Biloxi and took a wrong turn into some of the slums. I made the comment that the place needed a good hurricane...

[Conveyor Belt]

I feel kinda guilty about it now, but right before Katrina we went to Biloxi and took a wrong turn into some of the slums. I made the comment that the place needed a good hurricane...

LOL! Now, you should give Fairley some prophesy lessons!!!

[Tully Mars]

From what I've been reading, it's probably going to cost a lot more to rebuild houses, and not strictly because building materials have gone up. Most areas down there have had their flood maps redrawn so that to get above the flood zone and to be able to buy flood insurance, people have to build about 12' above the surrounding ground. This is going to increase the cost of construction and change the way the whole coast will look.

It's sad to think that the style of home construction that was prevalent along the coast before Katrina is gone forever from that area.

You are exactly right wilebill. FEMA's advisory base flood elevations will make the redevelopment of most of the houses along the immediate coast nearly impossible to rebuild. Those that are now being rebuilt were the ones who could afford to get things going early, before the ABFE's were adopted.

An interesting point to note is that the further west you go along the coast the higher the ABFEs are. However, FEMA claims that they used historical data to develop them...not just surge data from Katrina.

The end result will be that much of the new residential development along the coast will be north of I-10 and will necessitate millions to be spent in infrastructure costs to support the new housing.

[Tully Mars]

The brew pub didn't make it?!?!?

crap...

I know SoMiss, it breaks my heart. From what I hear, the custom manufacturing of the brewing equipment was too costly for the estimated return on investment that it brought to the casino. There is a new sports bar called Coast that is where the brew pub used to be. Its pretty nice but I don't like it as much as I did the pub.

[Southern_Belle]

I was pretty sure that's what you were referring to, but, lets face it, some of the stuff that got washed of 90 won't be missed by too many people.

well it was my home. and pass christian was and is very dear to my heart and family. i miss everything about it. you can't just drive 5 minutes to get to the grocery or wal-mart anymore. you have to go to gulfport and fight tons of people and traffic. you can't go to harbor view and enjoy a nice po-boy right on the beach with an excellent view of the harbor. the beaches aren't what they used to be (even though they weren't great). the trees are bare and the overgrowth of shrubs and grass makes the area look horrendous. the old antebellum homes that had so much history along Scenic Drive are gone. the kids are still in trailers for classrooms and nearly everyone there is living in FEMA "campers", not trailers, campers. traditions and heritage are lost. Mardi Gras, Christmas in the Pass, Cruisin the Coast, Toast to the Coast, so many other events, and lives, will never be the same.

Some of the things may not be missed by yourself and others who only visited the area. But for those who live there, much will be missed.

In regard to FEMA elevation codes - our house has to be 17' above sea level. Our land is 6' and we are bringing in 1' of dirt to make it an even 10' in the air. my parents were finally able to apply for a building permit in August (after clearing all hoops) and were called in last week to receive it finally. They have to make a few minor adjustments to the house plans, but it looks like they should have it before the end of the month. :smt038 We lived in Henderson Point, so it takes quite a while for clearance.