Some evacuees staying in Eufaula

By Patrick Johnston

Published: August 31, 2008

The effects of Hurricane Gustav could be felt in Eufaula this week.

Gulf Coast residents fleeing the storm came to the Bluff City to stay with family members, friends or in area motels.

Mary Watford, office and sales manager of the Comfort Suites in Eufaula, said Monday that at least 20 rooms had been booked by evacuees - mostly from Louisiana. More reservations were expected last night.

Angela Raglin, a New Orleans native who lived in Eufaula for a year after Katrina, said in an e-mail last weekend she was planning a return visit to Eufaula for Gustav.

“It looks like I will be returning again for refuge,” she wrote. “Only this time I hope just for a few days.

“I can never forget the love and care the city of Eufaula had shown to me back then.”

Approximately 20 employees of Wallace Community College-Sparks Campus transformed the Bevill Center from an academic building into a Red Cross disaster relief shelter this past weekend.
Green cots and white blankets that were distributed by FEMA replaced computers, desks and smart boards.

The Bevill Center was able to house 128 evacuees, but as of Monday morning nobody had yet chosen to stay at the shelter. More information will appear later this week on http://www.eufaulatribune.com.
includes basic toiletries and meals. At first the shelter was only going to be open for those being bused from New Orleans. Now the shelter will be open for anyone who needs it.