MS CU’S DISASTER PREPARATIONS PAY OFF
Despite enduring Hurricane Gustav’s winds, rain and storm surge, credit unions in the storm’s path fared well due in part to good planning.  Most branches in the areas affected by the hurricane were open Tuesday, with the majority of the ones that remained closed Tuesday opening Wednesday as evacuated employees return and accessibility improved.

 

As early as six days before Hurricane Gustav was scheduled to make landfall, Mississippi credit unions were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

 

On Wednesday, August 27, Lora Michael, President/CEO of Jackson County CU said “We are in FULL hurricane mode here already.  By Friday all preparations will be complete no matter what the predictions are.”

 

Singing River FCU also activated their Hurricane Preparedness Plan.  The plan included, among other preparations, securing ample cash to meet post-hurricane member needs for up 10 days, as well the ability to operate manually for up to 10 work days in the event power is not restored.

 

In the days leading up to the storm, Keesler FCU extended hours at many of their branches to allow members additional opportunity to access their accounts before evacuating the area.  The credit union also ramped up their communications with local media to keep the community informed about their hours of operations and advance preparations.

 

Hope Community CU, with branches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, began making preparations before the storm to help members in affected areas after the storm.  Bill Bynum, Hope Community CU President/CEO said the credit union planed to provided access to loans and accounts to members and people experiencing disruption, as well as working with faith-based institutions to help provide relief. The credit union also plans to help provide access to funds from philanthropic organizations and government sources of assistance, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) payments (News Now, Sept. 3).

 

In addition to coastal areas, the southwest corridor of Mississippi was also hit hard as Gustav made landfall and pushed across the state.  Old South FCU in Natchez reported that they were open Tuesday, but operating on a generator as most of the area was without power.

 

According to CUNA Mutual Group, no major losses from any of the states affected by Hurricane Gustav have been reported yet (News Now, Sept. 3).


September 2, 2008

 

Jackson, MS - - The Mississippi Credit Union Association (MSCUA) has been in contact with credit unions that were in the path of Hurricane Gustav to obtain status reports.  For the most part, Mississippi was spared the intensive pummeling brought by Katrina three years ago, although many areas along the coast and the southwest corridor of the state received damaging winds and rain. Much of the affected area is without power.

 

Access to some areas is still limited but most credit unions have provided initial condition reports, with many reporting they are open for business today.  A few locations remain closed with plans to re-open as evacuated employees return and accessibility improves.

 

Specific status reports include:
• Singing River FCU, Navigator CU and Biloxi Municipal will be closed Tuesday.
• Jackson County CU, Memorial FCU, Biloxi Teachers FCU and Hospital System CU are open.
• All branches of Keesler FCU, except the Stennis Space Center branch, will be open Tuesday.
• Gulf Coast Community FCU is open, except the Bay St. Louis branch.
• Credit Union South’s Biloxi and Wiggins branches are open. 
• Old South FCU in Natchez is open Tuesday operating on generator power.

• Hope Community CU's Biloxi branch will be open Wednesday. 

 

Credit unions that activated CULOCATE prior to the storm are asked to contact MSCUA by close of business Tuesday if you wish your status to remain active.  Otherwise, all credit union’s CULOCATE status will be deactivated Wednesday.  CULOCATE is a credit union system communication tool available to credit unions at no charge.  The system was developed to inform members and communities about how the credit union is maintaining services during times of  disaster.

 

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If you would like to comment or provide updates to this information, please email communications@mscua.com or call (800) 748-8627.