Hundreds take refuge in some area shelters

Pitcher and Creekside were last shelters to close

By Anne Lautzenheiser
St. Tammany News
Published on Friday, September 5, 2008 8:26 AM CDT

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More than 1,200 people were housed in six area emergency shelters during Hurricane Gustav this week.

Five of the shelters, set up at various schools in Covington, Pearl River and Abita Springs, were a joint effort between the American Red Cross, the parish and the School Board.

The sixth, a special needs shelter at Covington High School, was solely operated by the parish.

Residents who faced difficulty evacuating, as well as those living in travel trailers and mobile homes, were encouraged to report to one of the shelters.

According to parish spokeswoman Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest, there were no problems encountered at any of the shelter locations.

“I’m pleased that everything went very smoothly,” she said.

After the storm passed and residents began trickling back to their homes, four of the shelters were combined into two, at Creekside Junior High School in Pearl River and William Pitcher Junior High School in Covington.

Both locations are closed today, as is the special needs shelter at Covington High School .

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