Gustav made landfall with tremendous storm surge, but the levees in New Orleans seem to have held. The shelters in Shreveport are full. Some of our members are housing members from a sister church in Lafayette. Last night the official shelters filled quickly and the influx of guests continued to increase. While some pointed the cars and busses to shelters further north or west, others started to open other shelters. We received some Red Cross workers and today have become a shelter for Americorps volunteers. 

Today we set out to respond to the needs we found as we moved from shelter to shelter. Some volunteers helped shuttle people to get medications, while others took people to see their pets at the pet shelter. During Katrina, some people wouldn't leave New Orleans because there were no facilities to evacuate pets. This time provisions were made for pets. 

We have had people preparing meals for the medical and support volunteers at the FEMA shelter. In fact, as we have continued to assess the needs in the area, we have decided to focus our efforts on this particular shelter. The facility is an old Sam's Club building. It is large enough and can house 2700 people in cots. Currently there are 2800 residing in the shelter. 

For the most part I have been impressed with the improved organization of the disaster preparedness organizations. While I am thankful for this shelter for 2800 people, I believe provisions need to be made for showers, hot water and expanded toilet facilities. The need for back up power generation also needs to be addressed. As I was buying boxes of flashlights I thought about the approaching hurricane/tropical storm with its history of flooding and power outages. I imagined what it might be like in a big open room with 2800 already agitated people in compete darkness with storms crashing all around.  

The extent of costal damage is not yet clear. As I get updates and as people are allowed back in I will provide updates.