EOC, Evacuation Plans (MS)

Emergency managers in the three coastal counties all have formulated evacuation plans and shelter openings in the event a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico and threatens South Mississippi.

In Hancock and Jackson counties, officials will call for voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas, FEMA trailers and mobile homes 72 hours before landfall. Mandatory evacuations will be issued depending on the strength of the storm and where it will hit.

Harrison County officials also are calling for voluntary evacuations 72 hours before landfall, but Gen. Joe Spraggins, director of the EMA, said mandatory evacuations would follow within 24 hours for Zones A and B if South Mississippi is in the path of the storm.

Spraggins said he wouldn't issue mandatory evacuations for Zone C unless a storm headed for South Mississippi was a Category 5.

'Otherwise we're putting people in harm's way for no reason,' he said. 'We don't want to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes if we don't have to.'

In Harrison and Jackson counties, shelters will open 12 hours before landfall. In Hancock County, the lone shelter at Hancock North Central Elementary School will open as soon as officials call for any evacuations, said EMA Director Brian Adam.

Adam said it wasn't feasible for all counties to have the same plan because not all storms will hit all three counties.

'It just depends on the track of the storm and the intensity,' he said. 'We've discussed it, but Jackson County may be on the hard end of it, and I might not be.'

Hurricane plans

Emergency managers in South Mississippi's three coastal counties have formulated evacuation plans in the event a storm threatens this area:

Hancock: Voluntary evacuations will be issued for low-lying areas and people in vulnerable housing 72 hours before landfall. Mandatory evacuations will be called depending on the strength of the storm and projected landfall location. A shelter will be opened as soon as any evacuations are called.

Harrison: Voluntary evacuations are the same as Hancock County. If South Mississippi is in the cone of error 48 hours before landfall, Harrison County would call for mandatory evacuations for low-lying areas and those in FEMA trailers and mobile homes. Thirty-six hours before landfall, there would be mandatory evacuations for Zones A and B if the storm is a Category 2 or above. There will not be mandatory evacuations for Zone C unless a storm headed for South Mississippi was a Category 5. Shelters will open 12 hours before landfall.

Jackson: Voluntary evacuations are the same as Hancock and Harrison counties. Mandatory evacuations will be called for various zones depending ont he strength of the storm and projected landfall location. The emergency operations center will open 36 hours before landfall, and shelters will open 12 hours before
landfall.

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Emergency Plans Information (Routes)
Mississippi Dept. of Transportation
http://www.gomdot.com/Divisions/IntermodalPlanning/Resources/Maps/pdf/HurricaneEvacRoutes.pdf
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Evacuation Plans

http://www.msema.org/plans/evacuation/
MIssissippi State Law charges MEMA with maintaining a comprehensive statewide program of emergency management and is responsible for coordinating with federal, state and local governments and school boards and private associations that have a role in emergency management.

During any type of evacuation in the state, the Mississippi Public Broadcasting will broadcast that evacuation and traffic information on all MPB radio stations.
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