North Texas Ready To Help Isaac Evacuees
DESOTO (CBSDFW.COM) - Hurricane Isaac made landfall on Tuesday, bringing severe flooding to parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Although the damage does not look too bad as of Wednesday morning -- especially in comparison to that seen during Hurricane Katrina -- relief groups across North Texas are still prepared to help those hit by the storm.
The American Red Cross has set up shelters from East Texas to Dallas. Turnout has been low right now, which is likely good, but more evacuees are expected to arrive as Isaac continues to move further inland. "A lot of people look at hurricanes, they strike the coast, it's very dramatic," said Anita Foster with the American Red Cross. "But most of the damage is usually done from flooding inland, so we've got a lot of concerns for the middle of Louisiana up into Arkansas."
Back when Katrina was approaching Louisiana, many residents did not evacuate while the storm was nearing the coast. It was afterwards, when the damage became more evident, that shelters started getting overcrowded. That same trend could be seen again this time. "It's hard to predict exactly what we should do. But," Foster said, "if you need us, we'll be there. Whether it's one person, 1,000 people. Whether it's today or tomorrow."
Anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to call 211 for information about nearby shelters and additional help.
Faith Bible Church in DeSoto is one of the places where evacuees can find shelter. Anthony Booth arrived there on Tuesday from New Orleans along with a group of friends -- two adults and three children in total. With no room in a nearby home for everyone, Booth spent Tuesday night sleeping at the DeSoto shelter.
Having lived in New Orleans when Katrina hit, Booth did not hesitate to evacuate this time. "The storm was coming straight there, and I didn't want to take any chances," he said on Wednesday morning. A short time later, Booth found out from his brother that his home was flooded. "Everybody's on edge."
Booth is not sure when he will go back to New Orleans. "I'm just trying to get on back, and get on back with my life," he said. "I just hope everything is alright and everything gets back to normal."
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