The heart of Hurricane Gustav struck Houma, La., on Monday, and Oklahomans have offered some evacuees a place to temporarily call home.
More than 1,500 people already have arrived at shelters and churches throughout Oklahoma City, and they are doing everything they can to provide clothes and food to the evacuees, said Sgt. Paco Balderrama of the Oklahoma City Police Department.
“People are down here, people are working and everyone is being positive,” he said.
The Oklahoma City Evacuees Support Shelter and several charities, including United Way, also are providing excellent child care and entertainment for families with kids, Balderrama said.
He said they are keeping people busy with several activities. Movie screens are set up for children, and adults can view news coverage and easily communicate with friends and family.
Back in Louisiana, communication is not so simple. Hurricane force winds hit Baton Rouge and ripped up power lines, making communication difficult, said Tim Elbert, Vice President of Field Operations for the southern region of Level 3 Communications.
He said more people are without power than when Hurricane Katrina hit, and many are using backup power to communicate since cell phones are not feasible. He said most people rely on their cell phones, and communication is hindered without them.
“We are making a tremendous effort to try and restore power, and get communication back up,” Elbert said.
Elbert also said there is little flooding, but the heavy winds damaged hundreds of homes, and several evacuations are still in effect.
Students at Tulane University have been told to evacuate to safety until Thursday, according to the Tulane Web site.
For now, those in need can feel safe in Oklahoma, Balderrama said.
Several churches in the city are also doing their part to help. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has received several calls asking for food and shelter for the week, said Anne Kueteman, a volunteer at St. Paul’s.
The Guild Outreach Center, an all-volunteer program through the church, is expecting several evacuee to show up needing assistance, Kueteman said.
The center has been closed for two weeks, but will be open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon to help anyone that needs it, Kueteman said.
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