By Ashley Moss
Staff Writer
The City of Dallas held a press conference on August 26 to discuss the city’s sheltering operations for Hurricane Laura.
“We’re currently working with the state on sheltering plans, and we expect that Dallas will welcome many more evacuees in the hours and days ahead,” said Mayor Eric Johnson.
The City of Dallas has already received four busloads of state-sent evacuees who are being housed at one Dallas-area hotel, and more evacuees are expected. To remain mindful of social distancing amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the city is using hotels around the metroplex instead of having evacuees congregate inside of the Convention Center; and at this time, the hotel shelter is only designated for the state-sent evacuees.
Dallas County was one of 36 counties included in Governor Abbott’s Disaster Declaration for the Category 4 storm that is expected to bring widespread flooding, a storm surge, and damaging winds to the state. Ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Laura, Mayor Johnson had a message for hurricane evacuees from the Gulf Coast: we’re here for you.
“To all of our guests: Welcome to Dallas. I know this isn’t likely where you wanted to be right now but I will tell you this is a great city and I love it with all my heart. I’m sorry, truly sorry, that Hurricane Laura has forced you to leave your home. But in a year that has been very unkind to all of us, I know that you will find that the people of Dallas are very kind and welcoming, even in the midst of a pandemic and a natural disaster. This city has stepped up time and time again when we’re needed and this time will be no different.”
The Local Declaration of Disaster will provide relief and response to the imminent threat of Hurricane Laura. A reception center for Dallas-Fort Worth is located in Mesquite and is now at 15515 E. IH-20, Mesquite, TX 75181.
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