Las Vegas NowKatrina Evacuees Heading to Las Vegas

Katrina Evacuees Heading to Las Vegas

People coming to Las Vegas on their own to seek refuge from Hurricane Katrina should go to the Fertitta Community Center located on the campus of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada at 1501 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Their phone number is (702) 387-2253.
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Evacuees being flown into Southern Nevada as part of the evacuation process will be sent to the Cambridge Community Center once it is ready to receive people.

(Sept. 6) -- Nevada is helping those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Evacuees are expected to start arriving in Nevada before the end of the week. The state is offering to take 800 displaced people.

Clark County is notifying federal and state officials that the Las Vegas community is prepared to accept 500 evacuees, who will be housed in local motels and hotels. Another 300 people will be sent to Reno where they will be housed in government facilities.

Governor Kenny Guinn has declared a limited state of emergency in Nevada, which will free up money to help find housing, treat the sick and reimburse the state government.

"I am asking President Bush to declare a disaster in the state of Nevada so we're able to assist these victims, access federal resources and coordinate our response," Guinn said.

In addition, Clark County is working with representatives from the American Red Cross, United Way of Southern Nevada, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and other nonprofit organizations that have set up a plan for receiving evacuees, assessing their needs, meeting those needs and placing them in housing for three to six months.

Harrah's has contributed 150 rooms that can be used by evacuees. "Our employees and our customers have been hit hard by Katrina and we want to do all that we can to help them through this terribly difficult ordeal," said Tom Jenkin, vice president of the Western division of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

"As we watched the devastation wrought by Katrina, we all searched our minds and our hearts for a way to help those who are suffering," County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. "I'm proud to say that Las Vegans have developed a plan to reach out as a community to those in need."

The Clark County School District is also preparing for more students. They are expecting to enroll as many as 500 students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Dozens of children have already arrived and are living with relatives in Clark County.

Evacuees, whether they are flown in by federal officials or come on their own, should report to an assessment center that is being set up at the Fertitta Community Assistance Center located on the campus of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada at 1501 N. Las Vegas Blvd . Children can also be registered for school at that location even if they don't have school records.

"Our neighbors in the Southeast have suffered so much devastation. We are working to do everything we can to bring hope and comfort to them," said Penney Towers, CEO of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross.