Published: September 01, 2008 12:29 pm      

11:48 a.m.: Meridian dodges bulk of storm, welcomes evacuees

While East Mississippi appears to have dodged the bullet — if you can call the Category 2 Hurricane Gustav a bullet — there remains hundreds of residents from communities far less fortunate in our area.

Local hotels, shelters remain packed with evacuees from our coastal neighbors in Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

A man from Enterprise was at the Frank Cochran Center — where some 500 evacuees are housed — early this morning handing out homemade egg sandwiches to evacuees. There are no doubt countless stories of such neighborly assistance throughout our area.

If you'd like to volunteer your time, call the following:

LOVE's Kitchen: (601) 693-1409

Red Cross: (601) 485-5151

Editor's note: If your church, civic group, shelter, etc. is in need of volunteers to assist with these efforts and you want your number listed here, please call (601) 938-0087 or (601) 938-1428.



Meanwhile, the threat of local severe weather from the outer bands of Gustav continues.

A line of storms could push north into East Mississippi, depending on Gustav's path in the coming hours. Locals are encouraged to remain cautious.



Video By Brian Livingston/ The Meridian Star







From MEMA: Coastal residents urged to wait to return home for a few days



PEARL – Road conditions will be improving as the storm moves out of your home area.

Residents that have been evacuated are encouraged not to return to their homes for at least three

days.

Weather conditions may have improved, but downed trees and power lines may still pose a

severe risk to residents.

Power outages may be ongoing and it will take some time to restore your area’s infrastructure as

it may be severely compromised. Telephone service may be interrupted as well as cell towers.

Food, supplies, or gas may not be available if you return to your home too soon.

Please listen to local news for updates regarding conditions in your home area.

For more information call MEMA’s Public Information Line at 866-519-MEMA or the Media

line at 866-920-MEMA or visit www.msema.org.