Jackson Free Press

Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.

Tonight, word is that the shelters are full, and the Hinds County Sheriff's Department is looking for more space for evacuees. Call Steve Pickett of the Sheriff's Department at 601.260.9876 asap if you can help provide housing.

Previous Commentsshow

A question to ask when this is over is why there wasn't a plan to shelter more people in the Jackson area and send those turned away to a place with space available—and why it was Sheriff McMillin's office trying to get more shelters opened Sunday.

DonnaLadd

Sep 1 2008

Today, MEMA released information on shelters still open (perhaps would have been nice to get last night, folks?). Here it is: PEARL – More than 13,000 Hurricane Gustav evacuees have sought refuge in Mississippi as of 9 a.m. today, but the state still has several large shelters open and space for people seeking refuge from the storm. People trying to evacuate the coastal counties today can stop in the following shelters: Wilkinson County Industrial Complex in Woodville has 200 spaces. Franklin County High School in Meadville has 100 spaces. Smith County Agricultural Complex in Raleigh has 300 spaces Lamar County’s Oakgrove Senior High School has 500 spaces. City Auditorium in Waynesboro. In the metro area Jackson’s Coliseum still had 50 spaces available early this morning and the Trademart has 150 spaces available. Combined these sites hold 1,570 individuals. The Jackson fairgrounds can still take 200 small animals, but no more horses. Tupelo has opened its coliseum this morning and it can hold 675 people seeking shelter. If you intend to stay in a shelter please bring clothes, personal items, toys and entertainment for children, any medications you may need, etc. To find out about more shelters call 211, Red Cross, or call MEMA’s Public Information Line at 866-519-MEMA or the Media line at 866-920-MEMA or visit www.msema.org. ###

DonnaLadd

Sep 1 2008

(Note to MEMA: In the future, lose the dumb PDF and formatted press releases, and just put plain text on your Web site that those of us trying to disseminate the information can copy and paste quickly and easily. This exercise shouldn't be about public relations for MEMA; it should be about helping people. Make that easier, please.)

DonnaLadd

Sep 1 2008

First Baptist Church in Jackson has beds available and takes pets: Call 601-714-6919

DonnaLadd

Sep 1 2008