Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 2:05 PM
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Hurricane Katrina: Impact and Response for Mississippi State University's Coastal Research and Extension Center.

Patricia Knight, Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi,, MS 39532

Mississippi State University's Coastal Research and Extension Center covers 21 counties in Southeastern Mississippi and employs about 170 people.  Coastal Research and Extension Center has an Extension office in each of the 21 counties as well as Research Stations in Pearl River, Perry, Harrison, and Jackson counties.  Although damage was more severe in the southern extreme, all counties received some damage.  Three facilities flooded, and two were completely destroyed.  Coastal Research and Extension Center had a hurricane preparation plan prior to Hurricane Katrina, and this plan was executed prior to Katrina's landfall.  Although that plan served Coastal Research and Extension Center quite well during previous hurricanes, it was not sufficient for a storm like Katrina.  A new, more comprehensive plan has been developed based on experiences following Hurricane Katrina.