Katrina Evacuees Come to Amarillo

0045 CDT
Some of the NOLA evacuees are coming to Amarillo.

One planeload of ~170 people arrived today. I got called ~7 PM that another plane with 450-500 more was due in ~ 11PM, and that any help would be appreciated.

I went down to our civic center shortly before 11. There were tables all across the entrance hallway, helping volunteers go where they needed to go. First stop for me was a station to receive an ID badge indicating I am a doc. Then I looked around...

Also in that room were air mattresses - the kind that sell for $100+ and blow up with a hairdryer, not the flimsy ones intended for pools. They were blown up, and stacked 12 high, and I bet I saw 40 stacks. Each mattress had a fitted sheet on it. In the next room, there were bundles of clothing taped together by size. On the way in, there were shower stations set up outdoors with lights and a firetruck pumping water.

There is a room set up for eating, several for sleeping, and a large wall of phone banks.

Then, I went to the room set up for medical screening. There were screening stations where nurses could check for temperatures and blood pressure and heart rate, even blood sugars. I had brought out some glucose meters and test strips from my office and raided one of the ERs for lancets (sharp things) and alcohol wipes; those were greatly appreciated, but they had some to work with. There were ten screened off treatment rooms where people could be examined, They had recommended criteria written out for when to send someone to one of the ERs. I had brought prescription pads, but those weren't needed - they have special forms indicating that these prescriptions are for evacuees, and they fax them over to Walgreen's and the people get their meds 1-2 hours later.

Some of you may be wondering, then, why I am posting this. The plane expected tonight isn't coming 'til tomorrow morning, so they sent us all home and asked us to come back around 9 AM.

I know our people had several days to get this all worked out ahead of time, but the evacuees coming to Amarillo are meeting smiling faces and their needs are being met. I am delighted to be able to help out, and am very proud of the Red Cross and our emergency preparedness team here.

1300 CDT
Well, so far, my main contribution has been stopping at Wal*Mart and buying 40 red BIC pens for $3.52. (Red pens are needing for circling items on screening sheets that require further attention within the next week.

Got there at 9, was told nothing happening 'til 12; got there at 11:45, was told nothing happening 'til 5 (and again at 11:45). I figure there'll be a lot more help there at 5 than at 11:45, so I'm going to call in at 4:30, and if the 11:45 plane is still expected, I'll take the 2nd shift.

1645 CDT
Well, I just called back in, and no planes are expected today. I'm on an "on-call" list if a plane does come in, or if my particular expertise is needed.

It's kind of a letdown after getting psyched up to help, but I still feel privileged to have gotten an insider's look at what Amarillo is doing.

1740 CDT
Just got a call from the medical director. We're officially on standdown. We're not getting any more flights. My name is on a list, and they may call me to help later in the week with some diabetes issues. But most of the chronic medical care will be delivered by Texas Tech faculty & residents.