East Harrison (D’iberville) and West Harrison Prototype High Schools/FEMA 361 Hurricane Shelters

About This Project

2009

Two of the first buildings constructed following Hurricane Katrina using new FEMA 361 guidelines as tornado and hurricane community shelters. The two prototype high schools constructed in Harrison County serve the dual role as the state’s first FEMA and MEMA approved public emergency management shelters. The schools will be able to withstand 200 mph winds; meet FEMA elevation requirements; have their own emergency generators, water towers and wells; and have waste water plants with enough capacity to sustain 3,000 people during a crisis. Both prototype schools are CMU block buildings, filled with reinforcing steel and concrete, bituminous roofs and impact glass.