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NMCB 1 Seabees Assist Schools, FEMA with Hurricane Recovery

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050926-03
Release Date: 9/26/2005 2:33:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Dennis J. Herring, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, based in Gulfport, Miss., launched Seabees from Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport Sept. 6 to Stone County, Miss., to assist with FEMA’s relocation of families and local school recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Stone County is a rural community approximately 30 miles north of Gulfport. Many Seabees affected by the storm live in that area.

The Seabees’ work at Flint Creek Water Park allowed FEMA to place trailers in the park’s campground for use as temporary housing for families displaced by the storm.

The park covers 1,900 acres of mostly wooded land, with more than 130 camp sites that may be used for temporary housing.

“The work at the park required a significant amount of clearing downed trees,” said Lt. Chad Koster, officer in charge of NMCB 1's work assignments in the county. “We’ve cleared 26 sites in the area of the park where we are now.”

At Stone Elementary School, the Seabees first cleared and removed downed trees and other debris from school yard. The building’s roof sustained a significant amount of damage, causing water damage inside the classrooms.

The water intrusion also caused damage to a number of exterior walls, which needed rebuilding before children could be allowed to return to their normal schedule.

“We had major damage to ten classrooms, with water standing in the classrooms and in the hallways,” said Sheila Leggett, the school’s principal. “After clearing the debris outside, the Seabees patched the roof and installed siding to the damaged walls.

“We wouldn’t be able to open school if it weren’t for the Seabees,” she added. “We only have five maintenance workers covering four schools here.”

The Seabees’ repair work at the schools has expedited the re-start of classes in that area, with officials planning to resume school Sept. 19.

The Seabees have worked around-the-clock schedules since the storm struck the Gulf coast Aug. 29. Even as they dealt with their own personal losses, they have reached into the local community to help officials bring the area back to normal operations.

“You can’t find words to thank these guys,” said Jackie Spruill, the school’s assistant principal. “They work on Saturday and Sunday just like it’s another day. I’ve come back to the school in the evenings and they are still here.”