WLOX-TV Biloxi
State leaders reflect on Hurricane Katrina recovery; Governor Tate Reeves speaks out on state, national topics
By WLOX Staff
GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - At Friday’s Hurricane Katrina commemoration ceremony in Gulfport, state leaders reflected on the past, while looking forward to the future.
Former Governor Haley Barbour recounted the moment he found out that Katrina was headed directly toward Mississippi and just how strong it was going to be.
“It was a storm surge that was the greatest storm surge that had ever hit the continental United States,” Barbour said.
“We had tens of thousands of houses where there was nothing left but the slab. I came in on Tuesday. I will never forget the helicopter ride when we took off from the airport here in Gulfport... It looked like the hand of God had wiped away the Coast,” Barbour said with a tear sliding down his cheek. “Utter obliteration.”
National leaders also attended the ceremony, reflecting on the devastation, but also the resilience of the people of Mississippi.
“It was pretty tough to relive 20 years ago. Just the 238 lives lost and the devastation and lives that were turned upside down, but today was a good day. We can look back and celebrate and we can remember because we never need to forget that,” Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said.
“These people built back, and it wasn’t just for themselves; they built back so their children could have the same experiences they did growing up and they just never quit,” Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said. “And now, it is booming. It is one of the largest grown we got in Mississippi.”
Leading Friday’s ceremony was Governor Tate Reeves, who spoke to Hugh Keeton to reflect and also spoke out on ongoing national topics.
“Everyone down here knows the amount of volunteers that came to our state and were here for us in our time of need, and I’m proud of what’s happened down here,” Gov. Reeves said. “This is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but it’s one of the greatest places on Earth, and it’s not just because of the beauty, it’s because of our people.”
Governor Reeves also spoke out on the 200 National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., and how quickly the response time would be if an emergency were to quickly come about.
“I’m not at all concerned. We’ve got a unit in Washington, D.C., but we have thousands and thousands and thousands of Mississippi National Guard men and women ready to perform whatever responsibilities we need them to do.”
As the state education continues to improve, Reeves said he wants to continue the “Mississippi Miracle.”
“We’ve gone from 50th to 16th in public education. That’s a huge move, but it’s a lot easier to make that move than it is to stay there,” Reeves said.