A city known for its extensive emergency preparations, the District is no stranger to disaster-and no slouch about responding to it. In the days following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Mayor Anthony Williams opened up the city’s National Guard Armory to displaced New Orleans’ residents and sent a convoy of buses loaded with emergency supplies and workers for the stricken city.
“Although it’s a small number in the overall scope of a tragedy that’s displaced tens of thousands, my hope is that other jurisdictions follow suit and that collectively our nation can solve this unprecedented crisis,” Williams said in a statement Saturday. “If every city on the East Coast shelters 400 people, we can quickly ease the suffering of tens of thousands of people.”
To date, 295 evacuees have arrived in the District via airplane from Arkansas after that state’s Governor, Mike Huckabee, requested that D.C. handle an overflow of New Orleans’ evacuees, according to a statement given by the mayor’s office.
While some of the evacuees who arrived were disappointed to be in the District and not a location closer to their homes, most were glad to be some place safe, officials said.
Most of the evacuees went to the Armory shelter, which can house at least 400 people. Officials expect to keep the shelter open for more than 30 days, and they anticipate the arrival of more evacuees.
The Red Cross Chapter for the National Capital Area is managing the Armory shelter, and half a dozen city agencies are also offering support.
The evacuation plan came to fruition following the hurricane when city officials, organized by Council Member and Georgetown Alumnus David Catania (I-At Large) met with emergency management and Red Cross officials Thursday to ensure that the District’s efforts were effective and didn’t hinder other aid plans. The council member hopes that the city will eventually shelter more than 400 evacuees.
“Catania was in town and really took the lead,” Williams’ Spokesperson Sharon Gang said.
In addition to those who arrived by air, one evacuee came to the District on the returning convoy of ten buses obtained by the city, according to Gang. The buses were sent on the 2,200 mile round trip to New Orleans with medical and security personnel, food and water to show the District’s support. However, FEMA officials prevented the buses from taking a large number of evacuees back to the Armory, Gang said. FEMA officials also hindered the airlift of the Arkansas evacuees to implement a refugee tracking system.
“Like every mayor, [Williams] is doing the best he can,” Gang said.
Despite the public displeasure of officials in other cities, including Chicago mayor Richard Daley, William’s office has voiced no complaints about the agency’s actions, according to Gang. While there is no price tag on the city’s aid, the Mayor’s office plans on applying for a federal grant to cover the cost.
