Katrina: No more room in Texas

2005-09-04 23:33

Austin - With nearly 250 000 Katrina refugees already in Texas and more still pouring in, governor Rick Perry ordered emergency officials on Sunday to airlift some of them to other states that have offered help.

Perry spokesperson Kathy Walt said relief centres around the state were running out of room.

"There are shelters set up in other states that are sitting empty while thousands arrive in Texas by the day, if not the hour," Perry said.

"We are doing everything we can to address the needs of evacuees as they arrive, but in order to meet this enormous need, we need help from other states."

Aid centres will be set up at airports in Houston and Dallas where incoming refugees can be given food, water and medical care before they are flown out.

The governor's office said some of those flights could begin on Sunday.

The Texas national guard will co-ordinate the air operation.

The governor's office said arrangements also were being made to bring cruise ships to Galveston to house Louisianans left homeless by the storm.

Walt said she did not know how many refugees might ultimately end up in other states.

Texas has been taking in refugees from New Orleans since Wednesday.

Texas officials estimate 100 000 Louisiana residents are staying in hotels and motels across the state and an additional 123 000 are being temporarily housed in 97 shelters throughout the state from the Houston Astrodome to El Paso.

- AP