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Monday, September 01, 2008

New Mexico Readies Food, Shelter for Storm's Evacuees


Journal Staff and Wire Reports
          SANTA FE — As Hurricane Gustav comes barreling toward the Gulf Coast, New Mexico is preparing to provide food and shelter to any evacuees who come here, and several state departments are en route to the region or preparing to help where needed.
        The hurricane was expected to hit land along the Gulf Coast this morning.
        Gov. Bill Richardson has ordered the New Mexico Emergency Operation Center to coordinate the state's efforts to assist Gulf Coast residents affected by the hurricane, according to a news release.
        "New Mexico has extensive disaster response and recovery resources that are ready to go if needed, and we are prepared to accept any evacuees that may be sent our way," Richardson said.
        Gustav, which has already killed more than 80 people on its path through the Caribbean, was wavering between a Category 3 and 4 hurricane with winds extending out 50 miles and tropical storm force winds as far as 200 miles.
        The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management began monitoring the situation Friday, the news release said. The state's Disaster Medical Assistance Team is en route to a Texas medical station.
        Tim Manning, director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, said, "We are aggressively working to insure that evacuees will have shelter, cots, food and all necessities available, should they be directed to the state."
        Richardson has also placed the New Mexico National Guard on stand by.
        In Albuquerque, Mayor Martin Chávez said Sunday that the city had prepared two sites for evacuees, the Job Corps at 12th and Indian School and the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center at 501 Elizabeth SE. Two Albuquerque Fire Department paramedic units are on call and the city's Emergency Operations Center will open today, he said.