Cat Island (Mississippi) facts for kids
Dunes on the south side of Cat Island
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Historical map of the changing geomorphology of Cat Island
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 Cat Island
Location in Mississippi
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 30°13′N 89°06′W / 30.217°N 89.100°W |
| Archipelago | Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands |
| Administration | |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Harrison County |
Cat Island is a special barrier island located off the Gulf Coast of the United States. It's one of the islands that protect the coast of Mississippi and Alabama. French explorers gave the island its name because they thought the raccoons living there were cats! We don't know who first discovered Cat Island. It belongs to Harrison County, Mississippi. Part of the island, including its western half and southern tip, is now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
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How Cat Island Was Formed
Cat Island has a unique "T-shape." This shape was created by strong ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico crashing into each other. Unlike other islands nearby, Cat Island has sandy beaches backed by thick forests. These forests are full of slash pines and live oak trees.
However, the island is slowly changing. A shipping channel was dug near Gulfport. This digging has stopped the natural flow of sand that used to help Cat Island fight against erosion. Erosion is when land slowly wears away.
Wildlife on the Island
The island is home to many animals. Its bayous (slow-moving streams) and marshes (wetlands) are perfect places for alligators. Many different kinds of migratory birds also use Cat Island as a safe stop during their long journeys.
Cat Island's Role in History
During World War II, Cat Island became an important training center. It was called the Cat Island War Dog Reception and Training Center. Here, the U.S. Army Signal Corps trained family dogs for military service. These dogs learned to help soldiers as sentries and advance scouts. This part of the island's history was even shown on a TV show called History Detectives in 2009.
Who Owns Cat Island?
In 2002, the western half and southern tip of Cat Island became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This means it's protected land. However, most of the island's beach was still privately owned.
In 2011, a company called BP bought the eastern beach. They used it to help clean up the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Later, in December 2016, the state of Mississippi bought this land from BP. This 492-acre section of East Beach is now part of the Cat Island Coastal Preserve.
Impact of Hurricanes
Hurricanes can change islands a lot. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the island hard. It made the island smaller by washing away its southern tip. Another storm, Hurricane Patricia, brought bad weather. During this time, a fisherman reported seeing many redfish in the flooded bayous of the island.
Images for kids
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Cat Island (left) before (June 2004, bottom) and after (September 2005, top) Hurricane Katrina.
