Hurricane Gustav - Memphis is a Destination for Evacuees

Many Flee to the Memphis Area to Get Away from the Storm

As Hurricane Gustav was identified as a Category 4 storm located in the Gulf of Mexico, residents of New Orleans and the surrounding area headed for safety. The City of Memphis made preparations to house evacuees once again, just a few short years after Hurricane Katrina.

Memphis city and Shelby county officials, as well as Churches, businesses, communities and citizens are busy finding ways to make the welcome those displaced by Hurricane Gustav. Today, additional shelters have opened with more on the way as hotels, motels and existing shelters filled up quickly.

Hope Presbyterian Church located just east of Memphis in Cordova, Tennessee is one of the Churches opening its doors and arms to storm victims. According to Church officials, over one hundred are expected and Church members are being asked to donate items needed such as pillows, toiletries, diapers, snacks, card games, coloring books and crayons and other specific items.

Hurricane Gustav shelters include:

1. Hope Presbyterian Church-8500 Walnut Grove Road

2. World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church-6655 Winchester Road at Kirby Parkway-Status-AT CAPACITY

2. First Baptist Church of West Memphis, Arkansas-200 Missouri Street-Status-AT CAPACITY

3. Marion First Baptist Church-2137 Highway 77 Marion, Arkansas-Status-AT CAPACITY

4. Memphis Catholic High School 61 North McLean-Status-AT CAPACITY

5. Bishop Byrne High School-1475 East Shelby Drive-Status-AT CAPACITY

6. Cummings Street Baptist Church-250 East Raines Road-Status-AT CAPACITY

7. G.W. Henderson Senior Center-1165 Abbay Street, Tunica, Mississippi-Status-AT CAPACITY

Those needing shelter can contact: EMA Operations Center 901-515-2525.

Emergency management officials in Memphis need volunteers who should call the volunteer hotline at (901) 324-8799. Donations of specific items are needed for Hurricane Gustav evacuees such as toiletries, bottled water, bedding, toothpaste, toothbrushes, coloring books, crayons, diapers etc.

Pet Shelters include:

1. Memphis Animal Shelter-935 Farm Road at Shelby Farms