LUNCH: Volunteer Bill Hachmann delivers sandwiches at a Red Cross shelter in Baton Rouge, La. ANDY NELSON - Christian Science Monitor STAFF
LUNCH: Volunteer Bill Hachmann delivers sandwiches at a Red Cross shelter in Baton Rouge, La. ANDY NELSON - Christian Science Monitor STAFF
Texans try to help their neighbors from Louisiana
HOUSTON - More than 15,000 people displaced by Hurricane Katrina packed the Astrodome on Friday, even though the facility was set up to handle half that many, illustrating the tremendous task facing Texas officials determined to help their stricken neighbors.
The dome can handle only about 8,000 cots, Houston officials said. The city opened two convention centers for the overflow, the Reliant Center next to the Astrodome and the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.
Thousands of hurricane victims were also being sent to hastily opened shelters in San Antonio, Huntsville and Dallas, where all city police officers have been called in to duty. Kathy Walt, spokeswoman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry, said other cities, including Austin, are being asked to take in displaced Louisiana residents. Fort Worth officials are considering reopening two closed hospitals and a Masonic home.
Walt said San Antonio's Alamodome was being prepared to accept evacuees, including those turned away from the Astrodome.
The majority of evacuees will arrive in San Antonio by plane rather than by bus, Walt said.
It was unclear how long the Louisiana residents might need to remain at the Alamodome, but Walt said state officials will care for them as long as necessary. New Orleans officials have said that it could be months before residents can return to the flooded city.
In Dallas, storm victims poured into Reunion Arena, the former home of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks. When it fills, people will be sent to the nearby Dallas Convention Center. Together, the facilities can hold about 1,000 people.
Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm said the city is calling on mayors and county judges throughout North Texas to prepare large public facilities that can be serviced with food, showers and security.
The task for police agencies was beginning to appear daunting.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle was calm and measured when he joined Suhm at a morning briefing. But his comments were sobering.
"We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst," he said. "We're requiring all of our officers to come in, in uniforms. We're also canceling leaves and vacations. ... We are paying overtime and backfilling positions.
"We anticipate we're going to be in this for a very long haul, and we are preparing immediately." .................
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