The first in a series of four one-hour specials, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition — After the Storm, Mississippi” airs today at 7 p.m. on ABC.

The people of Biloxi have suffered in the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina — the nation’s deadliest storm since 1928, causing nearly 1,400 deaths. A once-vibrant community now looks like a war zone. Casino barges were propelled 800 feet into apartment buildings; elsewhere, homes and businesses simply vanished.

Now the design team of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” heads to Biloxi to rebuild some cornerstones of the community, including a local free medical clinic, and to erect a memorial to the victims of Katrina.

In addition, the show honors Jared Murphy, a young war veteran and local hero who helped save 200 neighbors during the hurricane.