Hurricane Gustav
Hurricane Gustav was a tropical Atlantic hurricane which caused extensive damage to several Caribbean islands and made landfall on the US Gulf Coast near Cocodrie, Louisiana on the morning of Labor Day (September 1), 2008.
South Alabama was affected by storm surge, wind damage and numerous tornadoes spawned by the storm. A man-made sand berm at Dauphin Island was destroyed. In the Birmingham District there was little effect from the weather system.
The city of New Orleans issued an evacuation order several days prior to landfall. Other coastal areas were also evacuated. The Birmingham area hosted 3,600 registered evacuees brought by buses to 8 official shelters, as well as large numbers who stayed in hotels or with friends and family. Most shelters are staffed by volunteers from the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army with support from local government agencies. Louisiana officials asked evacuees to wait until at least Thursday September 4 before returning to their homes, which are still largely without power.
In addition to sheltering evacuees, Alabama Power employees and 17 deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office traveled to Louisiana to help with relief efforts and the restoration of services.
The McWane Science Center, Birmingham Zoo and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute waived admission fees for evacuees. After a meal shipment was delayed, five area barbecue restaurants donated food to be served to evacuees at Bartow Arena.
It is believed that English graffiti artist Banksy was among those leaving New Orleans and arriving in Birmingham.
Shelters
The first shelters opened in Irondale and Bessemer on Saturday August 30. Most evacuees were returned home by chartered buses on Friday September 5.
- BJCC Coliseum: 1,200 cots
- Boutwell Auditorium
- Bartow Arena
- Bill Harris Arena
- Jefferson State Community College gymnasium
- Lawson State Community College gymnasium
- Shelby County Exhibition Center
- Moody United Methodist Church (10-15 people)
- Canaan Baptist Church, Bessemer
- First Baptist Church Irondale
In addition to these, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society opened a pet shelter at the Sheraton Birmingham parking deck with support from the Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation and the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency.
References
- Bouma, Katherine (August 30, 2008) "State readies for Gustav." Birmingham News
- Coman, Victoria L. & Joseph D. Bryant (September 2, 2008) "Alabama dodges worst of Gustav, shelters evacuees." Birmingham News
- Osburn, Lisa (September 3, 2008) "Pets of evacuees find shelter in Birmingham." Birmingham News
- Diel, Stan (September 5, 2008) "Evacuees from Gustav get ready for bus rides home from Alabama." Birmingham News
External links
- Hurricane Gustav at Wikipedia.org