Refugees are now being turned away from Astrodome
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In the Astrodome now
We have 5000 in the Astrodome now and the buses from the SuperDome are still coming.
The cots are still set up inside for 25,000. There is a "comfort kit" with personal hygiene items for each person. There are activities for the children--TV news showed the kids playing in the "outfield" areas. It's cool inside, there are working restrooms, phones for calling out (but everyone is asked not to try to call in), showers, food and water.
The food guys with all the BBQ and hot dogs have set up their little mobile kitchens outside the Dome and are just handing out free food to those outside, in spite of the Red Cross and Health Dept telling them not to. They say it's not just for health reasons, but the danger of mobbing for the food--but that's not happening.
The cots are still set up inside for 25,000. There is a "comfort kit" with personal hygiene items for each person. There are activities for the children--TV news showed the kids playing in the "outfield" areas. It's cool inside, there are working restrooms, phones for calling out (but everyone is asked not to try to call in), showers, food and water.
The food guys with all the BBQ and hot dogs have set up their little mobile kitchens outside the Dome and are just handing out free food to those outside, in spite of the Red Cross and Health Dept telling them not to. They say it's not just for health reasons, but the danger of mobbing for the food--but that's not happening.
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More from the Astrodome ...
Since that news report on the Astrodome, 15 more buses have arrived from NOLA.
Right now, SBC is inside the Astrodome setting up Internet connections, so more people can find their families and loved ones. I have no idea how many people will have access or how it will be handled, but it's also very good news.
Several of the Dome insiders were interviewed and were just soooo grateful and praising what they have found inside. The first thing one woman mentioned was "Pampers!" And her hubby or BF said "Fruit!"
They also interviewed the renegade bus driver, 20-yo kid from a housing project. His sister was the one who told them how to get here, using back roads. He said that a policeman in NOLA near the SuperDome gave him the OK to take the bus.
One of our judges was on-site at the Astrodome and said that the boy had filed a report with the Texas state police, because he wanted Orleans Parish to know where they could find their bus!
The judge (one of our "tough" ones, no less!) said he was fine with it--thought it was a creative solution to a bad situation.
FWIW, they are patting down all the refugees entering the Astrodome, and have confiscated two guns. Only the early fighters I already mentioned have been taken to jail, so far. They are now registering everyone who comes in, but that first batch from the renegade bus were too tired and weak to have that done when they arrived.
A number of them were taken to local hospitals, as there is a fleet of ambulances awaiting each bus arrival. I believe they said this morning that 20 people had been hospitalized, but that's the only thing I've heard about it. There are doctors and medical staff inside the Dome to treat the insiders for any other problems.
Right now, SBC is inside the Astrodome setting up Internet connections, so more people can find their families and loved ones. I have no idea how many people will have access or how it will be handled, but it's also very good news.
Several of the Dome insiders were interviewed and were just soooo grateful and praising what they have found inside. The first thing one woman mentioned was "Pampers!" And her hubby or BF said "Fruit!"
They also interviewed the renegade bus driver, 20-yo kid from a housing project. His sister was the one who told them how to get here, using back roads. He said that a policeman in NOLA near the SuperDome gave him the OK to take the bus.
One of our judges was on-site at the Astrodome and said that the boy had filed a report with the Texas state police, because he wanted Orleans Parish to know where they could find their bus!
The judge (one of our "tough" ones, no less!) said he was fine with it--thought it was a creative solution to a bad situation.
FWIW, they are patting down all the refugees entering the Astrodome, and have confiscated two guns. Only the early fighters I already mentioned have been taken to jail, so far. They are now registering everyone who comes in, but that first batch from the renegade bus were too tired and weak to have that done when they arrived.
A number of them were taken to local hospitals, as there is a fleet of ambulances awaiting each bus arrival. I believe they said this morning that 20 people had been hospitalized, but that's the only thing I've heard about it. There are doctors and medical staff inside the Dome to treat the insiders for any other problems.
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More Astrodome notes ....
Also outside the Dome, many local Houstonians have set up a little unofficial "distribution center" near where the food guys are. They were moved away, off the Dome parking lot, but are nearby on Kirby Dr.
They are giving out clean clothes, toys, all kinds of things that people have donated. They are just driving up and dropping off water and food and baby items--all kinds of things. It's very orderly. NOLA people interviewed are all saying they are so grateful.
I believe these are people who have been all around the city, with no place to stay and running out of food and money. The KTRK-TV reporter hwo is in NOLA also gave a very harrowing report about his own travels in the city, trying to get a handle on how many are still trying to get out.
There were so many boatjackings, his own hired motorboat and driver abandoned him, too scared to go back towards downtown, because boats were being held up at gunpoint. In fact, all boat traffic has been banned on city streets now, because of this. The reporter himself went ahead and found a rowboat and paddled back down to the Convention Center. He said it took him 2 hours.
Our local anchors (of which he is normally one) asked if he had hired a bodyguard or any security--he said no, but the network guys downtown have them. He and the cameraman have been sleeping the TV truck each night and even then, are somewhat scared. He said they are almost out of the snacks they brought from Houston.
There is going to be a report on the medical clinic set up by Houston docs, but I have to leave now for a little while to get something for dinner. Sorry for any typos. BBL.
They are giving out clean clothes, toys, all kinds of things that people have donated. They are just driving up and dropping off water and food and baby items--all kinds of things. It's very orderly. NOLA people interviewed are all saying they are so grateful.
I believe these are people who have been all around the city, with no place to stay and running out of food and money. The KTRK-TV reporter hwo is in NOLA also gave a very harrowing report about his own travels in the city, trying to get a handle on how many are still trying to get out.
There were so many boatjackings, his own hired motorboat and driver abandoned him, too scared to go back towards downtown, because boats were being held up at gunpoint. In fact, all boat traffic has been banned on city streets now, because of this. The reporter himself went ahead and found a rowboat and paddled back down to the Convention Center. He said it took him 2 hours.
Our local anchors (of which he is normally one) asked if he had hired a bodyguard or any security--he said no, but the network guys downtown have them. He and the cameraman have been sleeping the TV truck each night and even then, are somewhat scared. He said they are almost out of the snacks they brought from Houston.
There is going to be a report on the medical clinic set up by Houston docs, but I have to leave now for a little while to get something for dinner. Sorry for any typos. BBL.
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