City damage tab at $2.6 million, mainly on waterfront

The City of Biloxi’s initial estimate of Hurricane Nate damage to city facilities is now at $2.6 million, including $1.5 million to piers and waterfront facilities.

“Recovery is in our DNA,” Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard said today.  “Piers and fishing in Biloxi all belong together and we will rebuild.”

Electricity was restored today to individual slips at Point Cadet Marina, and Port Division Manager Larry Sablich said he hoped all debris would be removed by this weekend. Said Sablich: “We still have a sunken sailboat in the marina and we hope to have it moved soon as well.”

Several of the city’s piers and marinas were damaged when Hurricane Nate’s swift-moving storm storm surge came ashore on the night of Oct. 7.

The iconic Biloxi Lighthouse pier on front beach and the Old Ice Wharf on Back Bay sustained the most damage and remain closed to the public.

“We have to replace rails and decking on both piers,” Leonard said.  “And we will look into reducing these types of issues in the future by  building piers closer to the water as was done with the old Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge, which is now a fishing pier next to the Biloxi Bay Bridge. This means when the storm surge rises, the rough waves will be well above the pier.”

The Sherman L. Canaan Back Bay commercial dock continues to struggle with electrical issues.

“It may take several months to complete the work, and we are looking for the possibility of reimbursement, which may help speed up the process,” Leonard said. “But we are continuing to work as quickly as possible to resolve these issues.”

The National Flood Insurance Program does not offer insurance for piers, harbors or marinas, except for buildings at those facilities. 

The Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and adjoining commercial harbor are open and operating at full capacity.
See more about the city piers and marinas 
See images of beached boat being moved