Residents in Biloxi and along the Gulf Coast will have a chance to revisit the devastation wrought by Hurricane Camille during the cablecast of the documentary “A Lady Called Camille,” which Cable One will air Aug. 17, the 36th anniversary of the Category 5 storm making landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The 30-minute documentary, which features actual footage from the aftermath of the storm, will air at 10 a.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Aug. 17 on Cable 13 on Cable One systems across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Cable One is airing the program as public service and as part of the City of Biloxi’s efforts to help educate residents on the dangers of hurricanes.
Camille, with winds in excess of 200 mph and a 25-foot storm surge, swept across the Coast on the night of Aug. 17, 1969. The storm, which at the time was the most
severe to strike the U.S., caused billions of dollars in damage, with 134 deaths and 23 persons missing from the Gulf Coast area. A nationwide relief effort, which
included scores of military and civilian volunteers and businesses, helped Biloxi and surrounding communities in the aftermath of the storm. President Richard M. Nixon
visited the Coast in the days after the storm.
The Camille cablecast, which Cable One expanded from Biloxi cable homes to a Coastwide cable audience last year, is part of Biloxi’s efforts to educate residents about the dangers of storms and flooding. The city’s efforts, which include annual citywide mailouts to flood-prone properties and information on the city web site, meant more than $100,000 in flood-insurance discounts – about $50 per flood policy – for Biloxi residents last year alone.
“A Lady Called Camille,” which was created by the National Office of Civil Defense shortly after the hurricane, shows preparation and recovery efforts that
were organized largely by the legendary Wade Guice, former Harrison County Civil Defense Director whose wife, Julia, served as Biloxi Civil Defense Director at the
time. The duo are seen at their posts at the outset of the film.
Copies of “A Lady Called Camille” are available for $19.95 each from the Biloxi Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, which is also home to the Wade Guice
Hurricane Museum. Details: 435-6320.
