More than 9,200 people who escaped parts of Louisiana ravaged by Hurricane Laura are now housed in hotels in New Orleans, maxing out the city’s capacity to host evacuees, city officials said Monday.
People are spread across 33 locations, said Colin Arnold, the director of the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
An influx of those needing shelter over the weekend forced the state to close an evacuee reception center at the Shrine on Airline. The Department of Children and Family Services, which manages the emergency shelters, has moved the reception center to the Alexandria MegaShelter at 8125 Hwy 71 South. From there, the state will find people hotel or motel accommodations.
Arnold described an ongoing effort to provide the essentials for those who left their homes with few possessions in tow. Donations such as toiletries, baby formula, feminine hygiene products and clean clothes for adults and children are being collected by the United Way and the Junior League.
The new method of housing people in hotels rather than massive congregate shelters has presented a few complications, among them communication, Arnold said.
“It's been challenging because people are spread out,” he said. “With congregate sheltering you can get the word out very quickly to people. This takes some time, but we're utilizing technology to the best of our ability to do that.”
Evacuees can text “WELCOMENOLA” to 888777 for updates and notices from the city.
“Because you are welcome here and we will make sure to get you alerts that are relevant to your situation here while you're staying with us in New Orleans,” Arnold said.
City officials are also working to inform evacuees about the city’s mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions.
