HURRICANE KATRINA’S IMPACT 11
O n August 29, 2005 hurricane Katrina made landfall in Mississippi and Louisiana.
This category five hurricane was 150 miles wide as it approached the northern Gulf of Mexico and
covered an area from west of New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile Bay in Alabama. In Mississippi the
devastation along the Gulf Coast was most severe because of the storm surge and wind accompanied by
major flooding; however significant damage occurred far inland from high winds and affected much of
the state.
The full extent of environmental impacts resulting from the storm is unknown at this time and may take
several years to be assessed. Some waste treatment facilities in the state were apparently forced to
release raw sewage directly into our waters. Toxins have likely escaped from numerous damaged
facilities, homes, holding tanks, equipment and debris. Significant fish kills have been documented in
the Pascagoula River system and have likely occurred in other streams throughout the state. While many
forests in the southern half of the state were severely damaged, moderate effects were observed even
further inland. Saltwater intrusion resulting from the storm surge may have affected habitats at least as
far inland as Interstate 10. Invasive species may have been further dispersed and damaged areas may
provide a greater opportunity for their establishment.
As Mississippians rebuild, the cumulative effects of reconstruction taking place in a relatively short
period of time and the desire to build in new locations to avoid future losses may further compromise
conservation efforts in certain areas. Though this CWCS was developed prior to the storm it may be an
important resource for environmental considerations through efforts to rebuild. In addition, some
priorities outlined in this strategy may need to be reassessed and adapted in response to the new
challenges facing the state of Mississippi.
We will adapt this CWCS to the ecological changes resulting from the storm as we work toward
refinement and implementation of this CWCS with our Advisory Committee, staff and many other
conservation partners around the state and region.