In an effort to assist the evacuation effort, Grambling State University has opened its Intramural Center and the city has opened its Community Center for evacuees. The Intramural Center was previously set up for Xavier students, but they did not come for reasons unknown.The news comes as it was announced that the levees in Plaquemines were about to give way to the surge produced by Hurricane Gustav. As of 4:30 p.m. today (Sept. 1), Gustav was producing winds at 80 mph that were gusting to 100 mph.
There are approximately 1.9 million evacuees from southern Louisiana. Some have found shelter in Texas and Mississippi as the ones in Louisiana became overcrowded.
In Ruston, seven miles east of Grambling, the Red Cross shelter in the Civic Center was already full. Shreveport, 90 miles west of Grambling, was also reporting full shelters. In a decision announced today, the two shelters in Grambling opened.
“We just want people to know Grambling is willing to help out in their time of need,” said Steven Jackson, SGA VP.
The shelters are set up for people to have a place to sleep and keep an eye on the news. It’s not clear if the evacuees would be provided food, but Jackson did say an ad for donations was running on KGRM, GSU’s radio station.
The Gramblinite will have continued coverage of this story today.