UPDATED: Arlington opens Salvation Army shelter to Gustav evacuees

by PegNews wire

As Hurricane Gustav makes landfall Monday morning (Sept. 1), the City of Arlington has announced that they are opening up the Salvation Army Family Life Center (at 712 West Abram St.) as a temporary housing facility for persons fleeing the Louisiana-bound storm. The current plan calls for accommodation of up to 200 refugees at this locality.

Says Mayor Robert Cluck: "I am extremely proud of how quickly Arlington is able to respond when people need help. Being prepared and ready to go when called is in the greatest tradition of public service.”

Standing ready in case they are needed are three additional facilities: North Davis Church of Christ (1601 N. Davis Dr.), Grace Community Church (801 W. Bardin Rd.) and Mission Arlington. The Grace Church locality has been designated as a way station for the pets of storm evacuees.

The total number of people that the City of Arlington is preparing to accommodate is 500.

UPDATE: This just in from the Arlington Emergency Operations Center:

"As of this morning, twelve people are being sheltered at the Salvation Army Family Life Center, on Abram Street.

"People evacuating the gulf coast region are traveling by bus, plane, and personal car. Evacuees are expected to continue to arrive in the Metroplex over the next several hours.

"For more information about ongoing emergency operations, contact the Emergency Operations Center at 817-459-6035."

source: City of Arlington