Second Planeload of Evacuees En Route
to
Nebraska from New Orleans
(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey received word tonight from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that a second planeload of Hurricane Katrina survivors – this one holding approximately 100 evacuees – is in the air and en route to Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. The flight departed New Orleans at about 9:15 p.m. CT, and is expected to arrive in Omaha after 11:15 p.m. CT.
Evacuees Nebraska receives will be bussed from Eppley Airfield to the Civic Auditorium, where the City of Omaha and The American Red Cross will temporarily shelter storm survivors as the city and private relief agencies seek longer-term housing for them.
The Civic Auditorium shelter is being run by the Heartland Chapter of The American Red Cross. Security services and the auditorium itself are being provided and managed by the city. Douglas County Emergency Management is coordinating the multi-pronged, multi-agency efforts, along with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.
This is the final expected flight of FEMA-directed evacuees bound for Nebraska for at least the next several days. FEMA has put states willing to accept evacuees on a rotation basis of readiness. Today was Nebraska’s first stint on the rotation. A second stint has not been set.
Please Note: Media questions about the accessibility of the terminal at Eppley Airfield should be directed to the Omaha Airport Authority. Questions about obtaining access to the Civic Auditorium should be directed to the Omaha Mayor’s Office. Questions about the sheltering process and shelter operations should be directed to The American Red Cross. Questions about the federal-state-local interface and about how state agencies are assisting evacuees in their time of transition should be directed to the Governor’s Office.
