Coast residents begin clean up - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Coast residents begin clean up

For the most part, the wind and rain have really died down in the Biloxi-Gulfport area, giving folks a chance to get out and see the damage left behind from Isaac and with that comes the challenge to clean it all up.

Between the popup rain showers, Cottie Saucier of Biloxi is one of the many folks out picking up.

"Just cleaning, just cleaning" said Saucier.

His home on Father Ryan Avenue is just one block from the beach. He's lived there for 32 years. He left for Katrina, but boarded up and stayed as Isaac slammed into Mississippi.

Saucier says it was scary riding out the story. 

"We kept imagining we were hearing things and had a lot of wind and a lot of rain" said Saucier. "Different bands came thorough and scared my wife to death and scared me too. Just very uncomfortable."

Along the beach, the main road, Beach Boulevard remained shut down Thursday, as clean up crews worked to remove sand and debris.

On the roads that are open, power crews are moving inland to help restore power to those left in the dark.

Wednesday evening, President Obama declared federal emergencies in Mississippi and Louisiana, freeing up federal aid.

Governor Phil Bryant says both state and federal resources are flowing in to help with assistance.

"Every moment is following the plan, making sure that we are assessing our response team" said Bryant. "Every condition that we have planned for and then the human factor, to make sure that we're there when we're needed."

Back on Father Ryan Avenue, where hurricanes are a part of life, Saucier says he realizes the aftermath could have been much worse.

 "No (damage), none what so ever" said Saucier. "We have a couple of broken limbs but like I say, I'm a fortunate person."

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