Coden Gets Disaster Relief Center

Posted on: Apr 3rd, 2009 | News and Announcements

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the south part of Mobile County, the community of Coden faded into the background as federal disaster relief flowed to its neighboring big brother of Bayou La Batre. Yet, the fishing community of some 3,000 is exposed to the same shore as Bayou La Batre and three years later, residents there arestill trying to recover. Realizing that they needed to take measures for the next storm, community leaders asked Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean for help. The outcome: a new disaster response staging area where Coden residents can obtain supplies, equipment and services. The new $875,000 Coastal Response Center will formally open its doors at a community-wide seafood boil and ribbon-cutting set for noon Saturday at the facility, 7385 Highway 188. Paul Nelson of the South Bay Community Alliance in Coden is both victim and actor in hurricane survival. ?It took me 40 years to build up what I had,? he said. ?Katrina took everything. It took my home, my business, my boats. ? As he worked to rebuild his life, he also took a lead role in requesting county assistance. Dean, District 3 County Commissioner, took on the mission nine months ago. ?This a community that needed a hands-up to deal with major property damage and disruption,? said Dean. ?This disaster staging area will give us the means to respond more quickly and effectively.? The new facility is a 7,300 square foot building large enough for 18-wheelers to drive through and unload supplies and equipment in an emergency. It also includes a big meeting hall, warm-up kitchen and a couple offices: ample room for Red Cross and other responding agencies to set up. Set on nine acres, the grounds also provide area for parking trucks and large equipment. ?Storms are a way of life in fishing communities,? said Dean. ?But these people are a vital part of the Mobile community and we needed to get behind them and help them out after Katrina.?