Century old grand mansions that had lined the beach as well as mid 20th century motels and newer swank casinos were swept away in what the state's governor, Haley Barbour, called "our tsunami."

In most places only foundations were evident--so little was spared that few landmarks remained extant along U.S. 90 between Biloxi and Gulfport. Whatever survived Hurricane Camille in 1969 and the development craze of the 1990s was shredded into scattered piles of debris overwhelming observers with the scene of devastation.

Hurricane Katrina with its 20+ foot storm surge and tremendous wind served to slow the course of the Coast's rapid-fire re-redevelopment, but only briefly.