First evacuees arrive in Lee County

A television in the Covington Recreation Center lobby flashed a rainbow of colors, displaying the swirling radar image of Hurricane Gustav Sunday afternoon as Lee County Red Cross workers opened the county’s first relief shelter.

Rows of cots lined the gym at the recreation center in Opelika. Red Cross volunteers were busy setting up chairs and organizing supplies.

Sunday saw approximately 60 people sign up at the shelter.

“I think we may get some more (Sunday) night,”  chapter Executive Director Jennifer Ryan said. “Even we are starting to see some action from the outer bands (of the storm). We have people there 24/7, so if they come, we’ll certainly accept them.”

The shelter has a capacity of 150 people, and if that fills up, the Red Cross will open the designated shelter at Southern Union Community College, Ryan said.

“Things are going pretty smoothly,” she said. “We’re certainly prepared to take more.”

A big surprise Sunday was the presence of return visitors. Some people who took shelter in Opelika during Hurricane Katrina three years ago have come back, Ryan said. Some who stayed after Katrina have family staying with them to ride out the storm.

“I think Opelika got known for some good hospitality for Katrina,” Ryan said. “They told their friends it’s a good place to be.”

Ryan said so far, the shelter has seen residents from Louisiana and the Biloxi, Miss., area.

The Red Cross needs help, though, she said. Monetary and blood donations and volunteers are welcome. Those who want to help should call the Red Cross at 334-749-9981.