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September 4, 2008

Closer to home

Evacuees preparing for return to New Orleans

By Trent Moore

trentm@cullmantimes.com

HANCEVILLE — A round of applause erupted from the approximately 1,200 Hurricane Gustav evacuees at the Wallace State Community College shelter early Thursday afternoon, as Cullman Red Cross Executive Director Kenneth Kilgo made his closing remarks to the crowd.

“We’ll make sure this happens just as fast as we can,” Kilgo said, referring to evacuee redeployment. “The wheels are in motion. Everyone, just be ready to head home.”

An official redeployment date has yet to be announced — that decision is up to the mayor and the Emergency Management Agency — but Kilgo did announce the redeployment buses were in Birmingham, undergoing federally mandated inspections before they can be used to return evacuees to Louisiana.

“They should start sending the buses back tomorrow (Friday) morning,” he said.

Evacuees could begin heading home as early as today, though it could also take until the weekend or longer — depending on how quickly services are repaired in Louisiana.

Kilgo was sure to note it is not up to him when the evacuees will be sent home.

“This is a national plan,” he said. “We’ll get you out of here just as soon as we can, but this is still a process and we all have to work together. We are giving you all of the information we have.”

Before redeployment begins, Kilgo said he and his staff will receive advance notification three hours before buses are to begin loading.

“Keep your children close and your belongings together,” he said. “As soon as we know, you’ll know.”

Evacuee Juge Simmons said she is looking forward to finally heading home, whenever the decision is made.

“I’m looking forward to being home,” she said. “I miss it all. The Louisiana scenery, just everything.”

Sitting on his cot, coloring a picture to help pass the time, Edward Taylor said he misses his job back in New Orleans, where he works at a hotel.

“Most of all, I miss work,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back on that bus.”

Louisiana-native Glenda Jones, with all of her possessions already packed, said she will be taking more than memories back home when the bus rolls out.

“The folks here in Cullman have been so nice,” she said. “They’re sending me home with food and clothes ... my pantry will not be empty. I sincerely appreciate the welcome-ness they’ve afforded me.”

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