Posted on Mon, Feb. 11, 2008
Henderson Point is slowly making its recovery
Only one business is open in community
By MELISSA M. SCALLAN
mmscallan@sunherald.com
TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALD
Over two years after Hurricane Katrina, recovery is slow in coming at Henderson Point.
These days, there likely are more workers in Henderson Point than residents.
These workers are resurfacing streets, replacing culverts and yes, restoring some homes, but the rebuilding has been slow in this area at the foot of the Bay St. Louis bridge in Harrison County.
However, county officials believe that as cleanup continues and improvements are made, the people who called this area home will return.
"We've made a tremendous amount of progress," said Supervisor Marlin Ladner, whose district includes Henderson Point. "As we get more people back, then more will follow. I think a lot of people want to come back.
"And now that the bridge is completed, I think that will encourage people to come back."
There were 530 homes in the area when Hurricane Katrina struck more than two years ago, and only 15 were still standing when the wind and water subsided. Of those, eight were livable. There also were seven businesses at Henderson Point and only one has returned.
Damaged boats, cars, trucks and homes littered the area after the storm, but most of them have been picked up. Many lots are clean now. But for those that aren't, the county is notifying property owners that if they don't clean their lots, the county will do it and assess the cost to their property taxes.
Ladner said he doesn't understand why people have waited so long, especially because FEMA would have paid to clean up lots for a time after Katrina.
"My speculation is that this was a second home for a lot of these people and maybe they have had other issues to deal with," he said.
Another important factor in the revival of Henderson Point is the fire station. The station was north of U.S. 90 on Livingston Drive and was destroyed. But the fire station is being rebuilt in the same spot and should be complete by the end of March, Ladner said.
This means residents in the area will have fire protection and their homeowners insurance likely will decrease when the fire rating drops after the station is built.
Another bright spot in Henderson Point is the one business that's open - Point Marine Lumber, which reopened within a week after the storm.
"When they first opened back up, it was mostly to help the community and help rebuild," said Patrick Hillman, who came to work for the lumber company after Katrina. "But we had it pretty easy. The other businesses had buildings that were destroyed. All we need is a trailer and a stack of lumber, and we're in business."
