Twin States Weather Blog

Back At It...

* Our coverage continues today- we begin a special newscast in about 15 minutes. It's an hourlong show on the aftermath of Katrina. Then, we will begin more coverage at 3pm.

* Time to pass along more updates from Maureen Lofton with the City of Meridian....

...The MS Emergency Management Agency reports that private citizens have started a Web site to locate family members on the Gulf Coast. Click on www.gulfcoastnews.com

Also, FEMA now has a number for people to call and register if they have sustained damages. The number is 1-800-621-3362...



...The B St. water plant is up and operating with electricity. The booster pump is pumping water to north Meridian. We expect electrical power to the north plant about noon.

Power was restored this morning to the sewage treatment plant so it is in full operation. There is no electricity at most sewer lift stations. THEREFORE, CONSERVATION IS STILL NECESSARY BECAUSE OF NO POWER AT THE NORTH WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO OVERLOAD THE SEWER SYSTEM BECAUSE THE LIFT STATIONS ARE NOT FULLY OPERATIONAL.

Streets now cleared are 29th Ave., 23rd Ave. and the east side of North Hills Street. Crews are working on Poplar Springs Drive. Power wires across streets all over the city are slowing the clearing process.

We are setting up drop-off locations where parked garbage trucks will be stationed so residents can take their garbage there. We will notify you when those locations have been determined.

The Police Department reports no curfew violation arrests during the night. Most residents complied. No one has been arrested for looting. Our residents are working together to get us all through the critical period.

PLEASE REMIND PEOPLE TO TREAT INTERSECTIONS WITH FAILED TRAFFIC LIGHTS AS FOUR-WAY STOPS. WE JUST HAD A REPORT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES IN THE COLLEGE PARK AREA...


...POWER UPDATE: MS Power says power has been restored to 15 percent of it customers in Meridian. About 1,000 power company workers are working in Lauderdale, Newton, Clarke and Scott counties. President Anthony Topazi said immediate progress has been made in some less damaged areas but, statewide, it may take as long as four weeks to get power to the worst hit areas. The company estimates 70 percent of its lines will need to be repaired or rebuilt statewide. By Thursday, company employees will be assisted by nearly 5,000 outside personnel from states such as New York, Maryland, Kentucky and Texas...


...Meridian Municipal Court is canceled for Thursday Sept. 1. Call to reschedule court date at 601-485-1839...

* Will continue to pass along updates as they become available...

posted by WTOK Weather Staff @ 10:46 AM