‘We’re battening down the hatches,’ MS Aquarium CEO says, as storms Marco, Laura approach
The Mississippi Aquarium has canceled “soft openings” planned for Monday through Thursday as Tropical Storm Marco moves toward shore ahead of Tropical Storm Laura, expected to become a hurricane in the Gulf.
“We’re battening down the hatches,” said aquarium CEO Kurt Allen said Monday. “We’ve got all our generators ready to go.”
The highly anticipated opening of the state’s newest tourist attraction is still scheduled for Aug. 29, the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Allen said soft openings on Sunday drew about 1,400 people. The visits were staggered and public-health guidelines for COVID-19 followed.
Aquarium animals will be sheltered in place on the campus, which sits 25 feet above sea level on the north side of U.S. 90 in downtown Gulfport. The aquarium’s spring opening was delayed by construction and then the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aquarium also has an offsite Aquatic Research Center where reptiles, otters, a small alligator and other “ambassador” animals are houses. Plans are to visit schools and other sites with these animals. Allen said the research center is a “concrete bunker” north of the railroad tracks expected to withstand strong winds.
The $103-million aquarium also was built to fortified storm specifications.
Other storm preparations aquarium staff members have undertaken, according to public relations manager Corey Ball:
▪ Animal habitats are being secured.
▪ All construction debris and items that could be lifted by winds have been removed from the main campus.
▪ Storm supplies are stocked.
▪ Standby teams have been designated.
