Katrina Refugees On Their Way To Texas

Thousands of Hurricane Katrina's refugees will be bused to Houston and sheltered at the Astrodome. The news was announced this morning by Rusty Cornelius, administrative coordinator for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Cornelius said, "We are planning on being able to do a full shelter operation for 25,000 people."

The majority of the refugees coming to Texas were staying in the New Orleans Superdome, which held about about 20,000 people. The governor of Louisiana announced that she wanted the Superdome evacuated within two days due to flood waters rising and conditions inside the dome becoming intolerable.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry spoke with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco early today and they both agreed to the plan.

Since early reports indicate that it may take up to a month to get the water out of New Orleans, the refugees might be in Texas for a while. The Astrodome's events schedule has been cleared through December, however Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said officials are not expecting to keep refugees in the stadium very long.

In addition to the shelter in Houson, Texas officials have been discussing using the Ford Center in Beaumont as a longterm shelter for refugees stranded in campgrounds and hotels. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was also considering putting people in need of shelter on cruise ships, tent cities, mobile home parks, and floating dormitories.

UPDATE: Austin to provide for 5,000 Katrina refugees

It has been reported that 3 sites in Austin have been chosen as shelters for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"People will be sent to the Toney Burger Center shelter, run by the American Red Cross. When that is full, people will be taken to the Delco Center. The third shelter will be at the Austin Convention Center.

Refugees will be evaluated and then either sent to the hospital or a shelter. As of 4 p.m. the Austin Independent School District, city of Austin and the Office of Emergency Management were preparing the shelters. There’s no word on the when the bulk of the expected refugees will arrive."

Plans are to work with the Red Cross to establish more shelters and provide medical care for those with special needs, Brackenridge Hospital will receive 200 patients. The City of Austin Emergency Operations Center has been activated and Capital Metro said that six buses capable of transporting 50 passengers each will be sent to New Orleans to help with evacuations.

Thanks to Sean for that update.