MonticelloLive

Drew County has set up a Hurricane Command Center at Burlington Field, at City Park, where evacuees are to come first.  They can register at the Command Center, and are being told where temporary housing and other services are available, here in Monticello.

Here Emergency Services Director Bill Horn introduces himself to several related families, including: the Allemand family (Galliano, LA, near Houma in LaFourche Parrish), The Dardars (Cut-Off, LA), and Mr Punch from Raceland, LA, which he described as being “up the bayou”. 

First Assembly of God Church is providing meals to any evacuees that are staying in Monticello at lunch and suppper.  Lunch is being served from 11:30-1:00, and the evening meal is available from 5:30-7:00.

Anyone needing either meal is asked to call 870-367-5483, so that the church will know how many to pepare for.

While visiting around noon, I met John Simon.  John is from Roanoke, LA, which is located betwen Lake Charles and LaFayette.  He just competed his 10th year anniversary working at a refinery there, and came to Monticello with around 15 family members, who are staying at First Assembly of God Church.  John is shown here with his sons.

The housing may not be fancy, but it sure seems to be appreciated by the many people who had to leave their homes, because of the storm.

Monday night’s meal included beans & rice, with potatoes and cornbread.  Over 100 people had lunch with them, and over 60 were there during the first hour of supper.

As of Monday night, Shady Grove Baptist Church is housing 26 evacuees, First Assembly is providing shelter for 41 people, and the fairgound’s Homer Pace Auditorium is serving as a temporary home to approximately 28 others. The most recent announced facility for shelter is Wolf Creek Baptist Camp, near Collins, where 113 people are being taken care of.

The Command Center Leaders hope to receive an additional 75 cots and 150 blankets from the National Guard.

Also noticed in the HWY 425 area this morning were dozens of Entergy service trucks.  A crew from Stuttgart and Jacksonville were near the Crackerbox station, and several more vehicles were seen having lunch at Westen Sizzlin’.  Some of that group was from Russelville.  They are heading to Monroe, LA, where they will be re-distpatched, depenging on the storm’s damage.

Anyone coming into Monticello needs to stop by the Command Center at City Park.

Monticello residents who are able to volunteer to help, also need to check in at the Command Center, where services are being co-ordinated from .

Click here for Sunday’s Gustav Evacuee Report.