Tag Archives: Gulfport Mississippi

Piers along the Coast that were damaged by Hurricane Isaac in August may not be repaired before summer, city officials said recently.

The Category 1 storm that hit Aug. 29 tore up slats, pilings and jetties from Biloxi to Pass Christian, and the repairs and improvements must be approved by FEMA and put out for bids before work can begin.

A few of the piers are open, but most have been closed since Isaac hit, and officials along the Coast want to get them fixed so residents and tourists can fish from them again.

“We understand the need to get people where they can fish, but we have to balance that with preventing people from getting hurt,” said David D’Aquilla, assistant director for the Department of Leisure Services in Gulfport. “Our biggest concern, obviously, is liability.”

The piers along Gulfport’s beach were the hardest hit in Isaac. The storm damaged the Ken Combs, Moses, Urie and West Side piers, and all remain closed.

The jetties also were damaged and piled with debris, so they are closed too, D’Aquilla said.

Read more:  http://www.sunherald.com/