GREAT NEWS FROM THE PINE BELT

I finally heard from family in Jones County, Mississippi a little while ago. Some phone service has returned to the area, and I spoke with my niece's daughter. Everyone is fine, and their homes only received light damage (read: a few shingles blown away). They were at their church distributing supplies to area residents, provided by a sister church in Florida.

I also spoke with an aunt in Petal, Mississippi, just outside Hattiesburg, and her home received similar damage but everyone is well.