JACKSON COUNTY — Chris Snyder has lived just 500 feet from the beach in Ocean Springs for 43 years. He knows firsthand the destruction hurricanes can cause.

During Hurricane Katrina, he remembers climbing over debris and rubble to see if his home had survived.

“I climbed up on part of (the debris) and could see all the way down to where there had been homes. And I thought, ‘Oh, hell … everything down there is gone,’” Snyder said.

Doubtful his house was still standing, he carefully picked through the wreckage.

“We climbed over all of the debris, and sure enough, our house and one other on this ridge were the only two still here,” Snyder said. “It was all about the height — the 4 feet higher that we were made all the difference. That’s why I say elevation is so important.”

A rising risk for coastal residents

Hurricane Katrina remains a defining event for many along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“Katrina was probably definitely the worst one,” said Gloria Mooney, another Ocean Springs resident. “The water came up all the way to the bottom of the street — (my) neighbor had to swim up to her house.”

According to FEMA, 90% of Pascagoula flooded during Katrina. Neighboring communities — including Ocean Springs, Moss Point, Gautier and Escatawpa — suffered severe storm surge damage.

Nearly 20 years later, Jackson County remains highly vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. Data from First Street, a company that evaluates climate risks, shows that 65.7% of all properties in the county have a flood risk over the next 30 years.

To make matters worse, hurricanes are getting stronger in a shorter period of time, according to local meteorologists like WLOX’s Taylor Graham.

A new era of rapid intensification

Meteorologists are tracking changes in hurricane patterns, and one concern is how quickly storms now strengthen.

“One thing I’ve noticed, though, it seems like over the past years, is how quickly some of these hurricanes can intensify,” Graham said.

She pointed to storms like Hurricane Milton, which “are now considered some of the most intense hurricanes on record.”

Jackson County Emergency Management Coordinator Chad Brownlow said hurricanes now act differently.

“As they get closer, they literally get a burst of energy,” Brownlow said. “You’ve got all this heat that’s causing the air to push; the humidity is helping it swirl and vortex … it’s basically getting a nice buffet of energy right before it hits the coast.”

While not every storm experiences this rapid intensification, Brownlow said the ones that do leave coastal communities with even less time to prepare.

How residents are getting ready

Hurricane preparedness looks different for every resident.

Anita Picou, a Moss Point local for 69 years, keeps an emergency bag packed.

“Me and my sister have one. If anything happens, we got a bag, and we get and go,” she said.

Others, like Mooney, take a more relaxed approach.

“It’s kind of fun to do it last minute,” she admitted with a laugh.

For newcomers to the Gulf Coast, hurricane season can be intimidating.

“We are probably not ready for the hurricane season because we’re new to the area,” said Russ Silipigni, who moved to Ocean Springs seven months ago. “Our only preparation so far is making sure our gas tanks are full.”

Snyder, who has lived through multiple storms, said experience is the best teacher.

“Once you’ve been through it a number of times, you sort of know the drill,” he said. “We do general maintenance to keep loose things tightened up … and then closer to the actual season we’ll look at batteries and supplies and that sort of thing.”

Emergency response and evacuation plans

Jackson County officials stress the importance of hurricane preparedness — not just for residents but also for emergency responders.

“We are a coordinating agency. We’re making sure the sheriff’s department, fire departments, municipalities and MEMA are all aligned in their response,” Brownlow said. “It’s a lot of logistical work, ensuring that supplies, personnel and resources are where they need to be.”

Jackson County has three FEMA-rated emergency shelters that can withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Officials update evacuation plans annually, prioritizing beachside residents for early evacuation.

An interactive online map allows residents to check their evacuation zones: Zone A, south of Highway 90; Zone B, South of I-10; and Zone C, North of I-10.

However, Brownlow said the biggest challenge is getting people to leave when they should.

“You can institute a mandatory evacuation, but if a person just doesn’t want to go, they are just not going to go,” he said. “That’s really the greatest threat.”

Jackson County’s hazard mitigation plan includes infrastructure improvements, pre-positioned emergency resources and expanded communication efforts to keep residents informed.

State and federal coordination

While local agencies lead on-the-ground response efforts, state and federal support is critical. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency assists with disaster response planning and resource distribution. FEMA plays a key role in funding storm recovery efforts.

Despite discussions about potential FEMA restructuring, Brownlow said he can reassure residents that essential services will remain in place.

Brownlow explained that the Stafford Act, a federal law, enables his agency to protect people’s lives, empowerment and economy.

Stay informed and prepared

Jackson County uses multiple alert systems to warn residents about hurricanes. The Regroup Notification System is a mass notification system that provides text and email alerts. The Intergrated Public Alert and Warning System is used for emergency broadcasts — the same system used to send Amber Alerts.

Residents can also monitor storm activity through the National Hurricane Center, local news stations and NOAA Weather Radio for up-to-date forecasts.

Meteorologists recommend people along the Gulf Coast prepare early rather than waiting until a storm is nearby.

“For hurricane season, prepare as early as you can. Get your supplies, get a supply kit ready to go before the season starts, because once we’re under the cone of uncertainty, that’s when things can get a little crazy,” Graham said. “The more you can prepare, the better.”

Brownlow also advises residents to keep a written list of important phone numbers and contacts in case of cell service outages.

With hurricane season approaching in less than three months, preparation for Gulf Coast residents is crucial. It is never too early to prepare for what lies ahead. Preparation today could mean the difference between safety and disaster tomorrow.