The state Department of Children and Family Services has opened shelters to house Hurricane Ida evacuees. The first shelters to open are in Shreveport on Jewella Avenue in the former Sam’s Club building and in Bastrop on Madison Street. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says you can get shelter information call 2-1-1 or text 898 211 and enter lashelter.
“That will give you all of the local sheltering information, they are connected to the Red Cross and so they’ll be able to update shelters as they pop up,” said Walters.
Walters expects more shelters to open, even during the recovery stages of the storm. She says the shelters will follow social distancing guidelines.
“So you will be required to wear masks at all times, we do have the cots separated out, so they are not close to each other as normally are, but it’s still a congregate setting,” said Walters.
Walters encourages evacuees to check with local government officials about shelter availability.
“People that live in the lower-lying parishes have agreements with people in the north called point-to-point shelters, so your local officials are your first line of defense that’s who you should be listening to,” said Walters.
Walters says the American Red Cross will be working with local officials to open shelters.
“We know that churches are going to open their doors, local civic centers or community centers will be opening their doors that’s why that texting or calling 2-1-1 is very best source of information,” said Walters.
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