Yalobushians Offer Help After Gustav

COFFEEVILLE – Yalobusha County prepared for hurricane Gustav by opening the disaster relief distribution center in the Multi-Purpose building on Sunday.

“We have been able to help several local families who are housing friends and family from the coast and Louisiana, said Missy Burney, vice-chairman of the Yalobusha Disaster Relief Committee.

The center remained open through Tuesday. But, anyone needing help after that can contact Burney at 809-8094.  

“The Yalobusha Disaster Relief Committee would like to thanks those who made donations during hurricane Gustav,” Burney said. Any remaining donations will be secured for use in the event of other disasters such as another hurricane, a tornado, or an ice storm, she said.

“It is so rewarding for Yalobushians to reach out and help their neighbors, Burney added.

Also in aftermath of the storm, a team from the Yalobusha Baptist Association Disaster Relief was scheduled to leave Wednesday morning headed for Natchez to provide aid.

Elsewhere in the state, officials urged evacuees to wait several days before returning home. According to the American Red Cross about 7,200 stayed in shelters all over Mississippi.

Most schools and county offices were closed Tuesday across the Coast. And, more than 90,000 Mississippians were without electricity and officials say it will be days before power is completely restored.

Some high school football games scheduled for Friday in Mississippi might be pushed to Saturday or even Monday because of damage caused by Hurricane Gustav, the Mississippi High School Activities Association announced Tuesday.

However, that is not expected to affect Yalobusha County. “As far as I know we’ll be on for Friday evening here against Holly Springs,” said Water Valley High School Principal Glenn Kitchen.

Gustav hit the Louisiana coast Monday morning as a Category 2 hurricane, with winds of 110 miles per hour. The Mississippi Gulf Coast was hit with 80 MPH winds and a storm surges ranging from 5 to 11 feet.

The Yalobusha Disaster Relief Committee members were appointed by supervisors in the days following Katrina and Rita.