Hurricane Katrina began its formation over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005. The storm passed over South Florida and rapidly strengthened over the hot Gulf waters. It reached a category 5 status, with winds measured at 175 mph, proving to be one of the most costly storms, in terms of property damage and loss of life. Katrina wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast and flooded New Orleans.
     One of the survivors of Katrina, along the Mississippi coastline, was the Biloxi Lighthouse. Katrina wasn't the first hurricane to take a shot at the tower, as Hurricane Camille confirmed the beacon's strength in 1969. Stephen Pleasonton suggested a cast iron tower for Biloxi, and in 1947 it became the first iron plated lighthouse in the south. Metal plates, cast in Baltimore were bolted around the brick structure. This utilitarian design has survived hurricanes, beach erosion and the Civil War. Today, the casino ships are gone, but the lighthouse still stands between the east and westbound lanes of Route 90.