We will be in the Dallas area this weekend.
After we left the Tampa area we drove to the Panhandle of Florida. The Destin area had really grown since the last time we were there.
We were anxious to see the Gulfport-Biloxi MS area and what it now looks like after Katrina.
The drive between
The only thing between the houses and the beach is a 4 lane road (Highway 90).
Katrina arrived in the Biloxi area with a large surge of water which destroyed all the houses. Now there is nothing along there but the large live oak trees. On the lots of these former homes are the new mansions of Beach Blvd. The people are living in nice motor homes or 5th wheels while they are having their houses rebuilt. Or maybe they are new owners?
Before Katrina the houses were built on slats. Now almost all the new homes are built on stilts.
The devastation was not just along the beach but the surge destroyed buildings and houses blocks away from the beach.
The casinos are back in business. We figured this could have been a priority to give people jobs and bring tourists and life back to the area. Beau Rivage is a beautiful casino inside.
The Hard Rock Casino
National chains have been good about moving back into the area and building there. We saw about 6 new Waffle Houses around the area. Some of these were standing alone without anything around for blocks.
Signs made it through the storm.
Most buildings didn’t fare as well.
Ricks mother went to college in Gulfport and though the college buildings are still standing they are closed for renovations.
Jefferson Daviss home was also along this strip of Beach Blvd (Highway 90) and it is closed for renovations.
It will take a few more years for the clean-up and rebuilding of the area.
