Evacuees finding help in Shoals

As temporary living arrangements for evacuees from Hurricane Gustav neared capacity at Northwest-Shoals Community College, Humphrey Lee was faced with a decision Tuesday - either send evacuees elsewhere or try to fit in a few more.

"It really wasn't a tough decision," said Lee, president at Northwest-Shoals. "I didn't have the heart to turn away anyone."

More than 2,300 people, mostly Louisiana residents, have sought refuge from the hurricane by coming to the Shoals and other areas of northwest Alabama. Some came by bus and are staying at either the Muscle Shoals or Phil Campbell campus of Northwest-Shoals, while others drove here and are staying in area hotels.

Lee said the Muscle Shoals campus was rated as a shelter capable of handling 250 people, while the Phil Campbell campus was scheduled to house up to 385.

Lee said the number at the Muscle Shoals campus is nearing 500 and there are 150 at Phil Campbell.

"We didn't want to put them in an un-air-conditioned gym in Phil Campbell," Lee said. "We had some space in the basement of the student center annex, so that's where they are staying.

"We have 465 cots in Muscle Shoals. We've made accommodations for them all."

Northwest-Shoals participates in the state's emergency program that is available to assist people involved in disasters, whether they are from Alabama or neighboring states.

Emergency management officials in the area say 938 evacuees were staying in hotels in Colbert County on Tuesday, 675 in Lauderdale hotels and 110 in Franklin hotels.

Lee and local law enforcement officials say there have been few problems with the group bused to Northwest-Shoals. Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals police have all been available to provide extra security.

Classes at Northwest-Shoals also resumed as scheduled Tuesday.

"We've had several agencies in the community, churches and volunteers who have been involved and helped out tremendously," Lee said. "Our faculty, staff and students have stepped up and volunteered. I'm really proud of the outpouring of support we have seen.

"Some of these people literally came here with only the shirts on their backs. They needed some help, and it's nice to help them."

Lee said Walmart and other businesses have donated water, juice, tables, cards, snack foods and numerous other items.

"Thank goodness we've had good weather," he said. "We've been able to set up tables and many have played cards and checkers, something to pass the time. It certainly keeps them from feeling trapped. They seem happy and comfortable. I'm sure they would rather be home, but they're coping with things well."

Several churches, in addition to helping feed the evacuees, have taken some to a local laundry so they could wash their clothes.

Lee said dealing with 500 people has provided some logistical problems, but "we're dealing with them."

"For instance, we didn't realize we were responsible for feeding them," Lee said.

"FEMA provides cots and personal care kits, but we knew nothing about feeding them.

"FEMA has told us they will reimburse us, so we got food and we've fed them. The Southern Baptist Association has been feeding them lunch and dinner. We've been flexible, and we're adjusting."

Mike Melton, emergency management agency director in Colbert County, said the only complaint he has heard is that there wasn't enough coffee for breakfast.

"The only problem we've had with sleeping arrangements is that some of them got cold sleeping in the gym last night, so we brought in more blankets," Melton said. "Keeping them all comfortable (temperature wise) is like keeping the temperature regulated in my house and keeping my family happy. It's almost impossible.

"Considering everything that has happened over the past 48 hours, things are running pretty smoothly."

Elizabeth Moore, chief executive officer with the American Red Cross of Northwest Alabama, praised the numerous agencies that have been involved in assisting the evacuees. She said this is the most people her organization has helped shelter in at least 20 years.

Moore said local organizations that want to help can attend a 3 p.m. meeting Thursday at the Brandon Center in Florence to find out what is needed.

She said volunteers can contact Regina Burleson at the Colbert County R.S.V.P./homeland security office (386-8578) to find out how they can help.

It's unclear how long the evacuees will stay in the area. That decision could be based on what other approaching storms do. In the best-case scenario, they will be here until at least Thursday or Friday.

Gov. Bob Riley said several Atlantic tropical depressions that could become major storms may keep Alabama's 12,000 Hurricane Gustav evacuees from immediately returning to their homes.

"We don't want to send people back until New Orleans is ready," Riley said.

He said damage from Gustav, including to public services such as electricity, means evacuated areas aren't ready for them. He also said the issue remains unsettled because of the brewing hurricanes.

"It's like Atlanta with planes stacked up," Riley said of the storms.

There's Tropical Storm Hanna that could hit the southern Atlantic coast Friday. That's followed by tropical storms Ike and Josephine that are moving west in the Atlantic in the familiar pattern of previous hurricanes that have reached the Gulf of Mexico.

Riley said the state community colleges that are designated as evacuation shelters will remain open as long as needed.

Call 211 locally or toll free, (866) 869-4921, for information including how to volunteer.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334)264-6605.