Published: September 01, 2008 09:15 pm      

Evacuee total climbs to 700 at HHS shelter

Evacuees from Beaumont, Louisiana and even Alabama were coming in and out of Huntsville High School on Monday as Hurricane Gustav made a less dramatic landfall than expected.

While five busloads of families and residents arrived at the high school in the early morning hours Monday, some families were already making the decision to head home that afternoon.

“Including five buses that arrived early today, we’re at about 450 people here at the high school,” said Tim Hooks, HHS evacuee shelter manager. “They’re mostly from Beaumont, but we’ve also got people here from Louisiana, Alabama and even Kentucky — that family was actually vacationing in Beaumont when the evacuation orders came through.”

As of Monday afternoon, approximately 700 people had come to Huntsville for shelter.

In addition to the group at the high school, more than 200 people had also gone to the Health and Kinesiology Center at Sam Houston State University.

“It looks like Walker County is strictly being a hosting county for evacuees,” Walker County Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Davis said. “We’re in full shelter operation and we’ll stay in that mode as long as is necessary for the citizens who have evacuated.”

While three families had already left the high school shelter by Monday afternoon, Hooks said the bulk of the evacuees were keeping a close eye on the news before they made their next move.

“Most people are really watching the news this morning,” Hooks said. “They’re asking a lot of questions, but the main question we’re hearing is, ‘When can we go home?’

“Of course everyone wants to get home as soon as they can, especially since the storm made landfall and people want to check on their homes.”

All classes in the Huntsville Independent School District are canceled today.

Assistant superintendent John DeBrock said it has not been determined if classes will be held the remainder of the week.

While evacuees are still in the county, Davis said every precaution will be taken on their behalf.

“The Emergency Operation Center is still in full operation, and we’re still receiving supplies from the state of Texas,” Davis said. “The American Red Cross has also been extremely helpful to us.

“I’ve also been in contact with U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady’s office and state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst’s office, and they’re fully briefed on our situation, as is Walker County Sheriff Clint McRae.”

Davis said press conference and statewide conference calls would continue as Hurricane Gustav moves further inland.

For more information on evacuee shelters in Walker County, contact the Emergency Operation Center at (936) 435-24000.