Katrina
Update September 9th
Knoxville received this morning (Friday morning) three planeloads of
Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Baton Rouge, LA. Two planes from the
Minnesota Air National Guard brought Approximately 160 evacuees to
the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. A Delta Air Lines charter
brought approximately 129 evacuees and several pets.
First plane held 79 evacuees. Second plane held 81 evacuees (76
adults & 5 children). Third plane held approximately 129 evacuees.
Total of 289 evacuees.
194 are registered at Civic Coliseum shelter. 7 were taken to
the hospital. 3 were taken to a nursing home. The remaining number
are either with friends, family, in a hotel, or left the area.
Several pets are among the evacuees (cats, dogs, a ferret, a snake,
a parrot.) Pets will go to foster homes from the Humane Society
of TN Valley until owners can take care of them.
Evacuees were flown in via two planes from the Minnesota Air National
Guard and one chartered Delta Airlines plane.
Those Hurricane Katrina victims who need serious medical attention
will be transported via ambulance to area hospitals, others will
be transported by buses to the Civic Coliseum.
Civic Coliseum is prepared to take 350 of the evacuees. Rest of
the evacuees will be taken to a shelter at Cedar Springs Presbyterian
Church. Family units will not be separated.
All incoming evacuees will be evaluated by the Health Department
to determine their medical needs. The Humane Society will be helping
with pets.
For the safety of all those who
will be staying in the shelters and for the safety of the volunteers,
evacuees will be searched as soon as they exit the plane.
Internet access is being provided at all sheltering locations,
to assist evacuees in locating family members.
The Red Cross and all city and county officials request that
no donations of goods be brought to the Civic Coliseum at
this time. Food may be delivered to the Second Harvest Food
Bank. Compassion Coalition is coordinating all donations of food
and clothing for the local shelters (Mr. Andy Rittenhouse is in
charge of this effort; 865-251-1591 or info@compassioncoalition.org).
Newly arriving evacuees who are not a part of the organized
group should be directed to Central Baptist Church of Bearden
for registration.
The Communications staff of both Knoxville and Knox County
Mayor's Offices will continue to provide updates at least once
a day.
For further information, please contact either
Dwight Van de Vate
865-215-2005
dwight.vandevate@knoxcounty.org
or
Margie Nichols
865-215-2418
mnichols@cityofknoxville.org
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