Sat, Jul 04 2009
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Published September 01, 2008 08:39 pm - By Tiffany Green TGREEN@CULLMANTIMES.COM HANCEVILLE — More than 1,200 evacuees fleeing the path of Hurricane Gustav began arriving at Wallace State Community College Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, with the Wellness Center and Tom Drake Coliseum full, officials were sending approximately seven buses on to other facilities outside of Cullman. More than 1,200 Evacuees housed at Wallace State By Tiffany Green
TGREEN@CULLMANTIMES.COM HANCEVILLE — More than 1,200 evacuees fleeing the path of Hurricane Gustav began arriving at Wallace State Community College Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, with the Wellness Center and Tom Drake Coliseum full, officials were sending approximately seven buses on to other facilities outside of Cullman. “We have a total of 16 bus loads in and are at maximum capacity,” Kenneth Kilgo, Red Cross Director said. “We are on Interstate 65, which is the primary evacuation route, so we get filled up fast. We do not have enough (certified) folks to man another shelter.” According to Kilgo the community had come together with many volunteers showing up. He added everything was running as smoothly as can be expected referring to the situation as “somewhat of an organized chaos.” “Wal-Mart Distribution Center called and asked what we need,” Kilgo said. “They brought a huge truck load of supplies, including drinks, snacks and cleaning supplies.” Members of the Baptist Association of Cullman and WSCC chef Chris Villa manned the kitchen and served meals to evacuees and volunteers. “Many local churches filled the kids room with toys,” Red Cross board member Kathy McLeroy said. Volunteer nurses were on hand to help those with medical needs. “With this being a holiday, most of the local pharmacies were closed. But Walgreens, Borden’s and Lakeside really have helped out because we have had a lot of special needs patients,” nurse Cathy James said. According to James, patients needing extra care were transported to other areas. James commended everyone who has volunteered time and resources. Evacuees were kept updated on Gustav in the Wellness Center’s media room, where 24-hour news coverage played. The majority of evacuees were from New Orleans and its surrounding areas. Darryl Jones, from New Orleans, said he arrived Sunday night after about 18 hours on a bus. “Everybody has been nice and can’t ask for more than that,” Jones said. “When Mayor Ray Nagin said this may be worse than Katrina and we need to leave now, that convinced me.” Jones was evacuated during Hurricane Katrina and has been living in a warehouse with friends since then. He was able to travel with those friends, who he now considers his family. 
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