From Texas to Utah, offers of help

San Antonio pitches in
In San Antonio, the former Kelly Air Force Base began accepting people on buses that were turned away from the Astrodome. Up to 7,000 people could be accommodated in an air-conditioned office building and warehouse.

Plans were being made for alternative sites in San Antonio once those buildings filled.

As people arrived, they were given pink lemonade and allowed to use portable restrooms. Others arrived on military helicopters directly from New Orleans and were met by people with food and medicine.

Many refugees showed up hot, dazed and exhausted. They were given toothbrushes, soap, washcloths and other toiletries when they signed in. Aides questioned them about health needs.

Health, safety are challenges
Inside the Astrodome, doctors had trouble keeping up with everyone needing treatment.
“Many people might think there are enough people here, and there are not. We just need help,” said Dr. Steven Glorsky, who had treated evacuees for heart attacks, open wounds and diabetes. “We have a crisis in there.”

A few people were arrested in the Astrodome, although Sheriff Tommy Thomas didn’t have an exact count. He said some men were arrested for going into the women’s showers. Others were arrested for fighting over cots.

“These bunks are going to be territorial. Somebody gets up and then somebody’s going to take their bunk,” Thomas said.

Dr. Stuart C. Udofsky, chairman of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said about 30 psychiatrists from around Houston are assisting with the mental health needs of those staying inside the Astrodome.

“The Astrodome was designed to have maybe 20,000 people for six hours at the most for something upon which they are all focused,” Udofsky said. “To be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an indeterminate period of time, that experiment has never been run — and we are trying to do that right now.”

‘A better Big Easy’
Myron Johnson, 27, was just happy to get three meals, a cot and some fresh clothes. The Pizza Hut worker fled his New Orleans apartment Monday in nothing but boxer shorts, leaving behind nine relatives.

“I don’t know where my family is. I’m here by myself,” he said outside Reunion Arena. He was frustrated he had not been able to contact loved ones.

“I thank God for the good volunteers of Texas, but all they can do is try to keep your spirits up,” he said. “I just want to know that they’re OK so I can salvage the rest of my life.”

Johnson held out hope that he would eventually return to New Orleans.

“In my heart, I believe there will be a Big Easy again,” he said. “A better Big Easy.”

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