We lost power on for a few minutes. Am missing some shingles on my house and we saw winds of almost 50 mph. I live 6 hours from the beach. My parents have lost sewer, water and pwer and were told that they cannot expect to get any of this back for at least two weeks, and they live 150 miles from the beach. I have close friends in Hattiesburg, where I went to school and many more in Long BEach MS and Biloxi. I spent most of my college years in New Orleans every weekend. The extent of this devastation is enormous. Look for staggering gas prices and fuel oil this winter. The casinos of the MS guld coast which were providing such a strong stimulus for growth there are totally gone. It will be a huge impact on the economic growth and stability of the region. This is disaster that will be felt nationwide.
Wocketman, I am about 2 hours east of you on the MS/AL line. If you are in town this weekend you can come over and fly with me, or look up Lt. Dan, he is in that area and am sure he will extend a hand of hospitality. Hope your home is safe and sound, and you have a safe trip home.
Tommy