Reply #28: Not for that many people [View All]

[lastliberalintexas]

We're talking about at least 25,000 to 30,000 people and the room for all the necessities for taking care of that many people. There just isn't any place closer (other than the also mentioned Ford Park Arena which still wouldn't hold everyone) to hold that many people in one place. And one place makes it easier for the Red Cross to care for the evacuees as well as for their relatives to find them. The shelters set up in Houston, Beaumont and Lake Charles are already mostly at capacity, so the Astrodome makes the most sense for now.

Plus, the bonus is that the Astrodome is rarely used anymore since the Astros got their new stadium. And unfortunately, I think that is also a driving force in this. From the reports we're receiving in SE Texas, these people are going to be here for *months*, not just the weeks that temporary shelters can provide. And SE Texas and Louisiana's rainy season is approaching, since our fall is usually very wet. I'd rather them be in a safe, climate controlled arena with running water, etc. than dealing with the elements in a tent. And of course it should be up to them what they want, so if they choose tents, more power to them.

And by and large, the people of this area are happy to help, since we know that could just as easily have been us. My hometown of Beaumont would be off the map if a class 4 or 5 hit us, and Galveston and south Houston would likely be largely gone too.

In fact, there are plenty of places in Houston or Beaumont offering free or reduced admission to the evacuees- the zoo, museums, the Comets, etc. All they need is a valid id from one of the 3 affected states and they can likley get in for free! Pass the word, please. :)