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.

Eliza M. Ghil, a professor at the University of New Orleans, said the accommodations have been much better than expected.

“This shelter is great,” Ghil said. “They are organized, competent and I am very impressed with the campus and all the volunteers.”

Ghil arrived Monday morning after spending 24 hours on a bus. Ghil expressed relief that Gustav seemed to be less severe than expected.

Members of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and Cullman City Police Department were on hand to help with any security issues.

“Everyone is grateful and appreciative. Everyone has helped out with garbage and things like that,” Deputy Vincent Hart said.

Many evacuees expressed appreciation for the volunteers.

“Thank God for blessing y’all for blessing us,” Robert Darby from Abbeville, La. said. “I will keep y’all in my prayers for taking care of us.”

Kilgo said the Red Cross depends on its volunteers.

“We depend on volunteers and we couldn’t do it without them,” Kilgo said.

All classes have been canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday at Wallace State by order of the governor and the chancellor of the two-year college system due to housing evacuees.