Jackson County to hold open house at new Hurricane Shelter on Feb. 7 | Community Spirit

Jackson County Public Information Office:

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors is holding an open house at the new Vancleave Hurricane Shelter on Thursday, February 7 from 5-6 p.m. A Town Hall meeting will be held immediately following the event.

The Hurricane Shelter Open House marks the official completion of three identical shelters that have been under simultaneous construction by the County since 2011.

All County residents are invited and encouraged to come and take a tour of the Vancleave shelter during this time. Representatives of the American Red Cross and Jackson County Emergency Operations Center will also join board members in a short presentation about the structure, purpose, and potential use of the three facilities.

 “The construction of these three shelters marks one of the largest public safety projects the County has undertaken,” said District 5 Supervisor John McKay.

Each of the shelters is 10,000 square foot and have been built to FEMA’s strict “361” sheltering guidelines. They will be able to withstand 200 mph winds, have eight inch thick concrete walls, up to 20,000 gallons of potable water, self supportive utilities, and will be able to house hundreds of people. Each shelter cost $3 million dollars with a vast majority of the funding coming from MEMA and FEMA.

Supervisors John McKay (District 5) and Barry Cumbest (District 1) will hold a town hall meeting immediately following the open house at 6 p.m.. The meeting is open to all residents as McKay and Cumbest will address issues concerning their districts and the County as a whole.

The Vancleave Shelter is located on Ballpark Road just North of the ball fields. The two other shelters are located in Hurley on Hwy. 613 and the St. Martin shelter is on Walker Road.

Information source: Jackson County Public Information Office.