Meridian Star reports that much went right in the city's disaster preparation

"Nearly four years of preparation paid off two weeks ago when Hurricane Katrina roared through the city, taking out all electricity service, obstructing all major thoroughfares with downed trees, and cutting off most forms of communication. Within 24 hours, the city was functioning again - a feat that (one official) attributes to the city's preparedness and an exhaustive recovery effort involving public servants of every stripe."