By J.R. WELSH - jrwelsh@sunherald.com 
 
BAY ST. LOUIS — Federal officials, distressed over poor conditions at Hancock County’s Emergency Operations Center, announced $1 million in new funding Wednesday to help build a replacement facility.

“Last week I had the opportunity to tour Hancock County’s EOC and saw firsthand the difficult conditions county officials have to work in,” U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said in a statement issued jointly with U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.

The money is part of $14.6 million being distributed nationally by the Department of Homeland Security for emergency operations centers. During natural disasters the centers serve as headquarters for first responders responsible for evacuations, emergency calls, rescues and distribution of critical public information.

The Sun Herald reported in a front-page story Tuesday on conditions at the Hancock EOC during Hurricane Gustav. About 200 first responders - including police, firefighters, Emergency Management Agency workers, National Guard soldiers, federal and state officials and others - crowded into the decrepit old Valena C. Jones School, where the center and the Bay St. Louis Fire Department are located.

While protecting the citizenry before, during and following the hurricane, they endured conditions including leaky roofs, loose ceiling tiles, rain-slick floors, mold-ridden ceilings and cracked concrete walls.

In announcing the grant, Cochran commended Hancock County officials “for their excellent work despite the condition of their temporary facility.” And Wicker said the money would “go a long way to help Hancock County move their emergency operations center to a safer location that ensures they can continue to respond effectively during the next storm or emergency.”

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While Senator Cochran and staff members spread across different cities in northern Mississippi attending 4th of July events, South Mississippi Field Rep. Michael Janus represented Cochran on the coast.  Janus attended Bay St. Louis’s 24th Annual Crab Festival at Our Lady Gulf Catholic Church and Mississippi’s Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in Biloxi for the weekend. Both are traditional holiday events held on the Gulf Coast that include carnival rides, arts and crafts, food, family fun, and much more.  Pictures from the events are below:

Joan Janus and Jennifer Lockridge show their support for Senator Cochran at the 24th Annual Crab Festival.

Cameron Lockridge, Sarah Janus, Corey Lockridge, and Hannah Janus sport their “Thad tees” at Mississippi’s Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in Biloxi.