As the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging residents, businesses and community organizations along the Gulf Coast to have a preparedness plan in place.
This year’s forecast calls for an above-average season, with NOAA predicting up to 25 named storms, including 13 hurricanes. After a destructive 2024 season that saw multiple storms cause severe flooding, roadway washouts and bridge damage across the Southeast, officials say preparation is more critical than ever.
“Now is an ideal time to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season, before we see a lot of activity in the tropics,” said Charles Busby, commissioner of MDOT’s Southern Transportation District. “With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming up this year, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of disaster planning and educating yourself on how to evacuate if needed.”
Last year’s hurricanes damaged dozens of roads and bridges in the region, highlighting vulnerabilities in coastal infrastructure. In response, MDOT has reinforced evacuation routes and streamlined its emergency response protocols.
MDOT’s 2025 Hurricane Evacuation Guide includes vital information on contraflow routes, radio coverage, emergency contacts, shelter locations and more. Guides are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese at GoMDOT.com/hurricanes.
During storms, residents can monitor conditions and road closures via the MDOT Traffic app and MDOTtraffic.com.
Source: WKRG.com, Mississippi Department of Transportation
