Riley: State Won't Shelter As Many Storm Evacuees

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama may not opens its doors as wide
this year for hurricane evacuees from Louisiana and other states.
Gov. Bob Riley said Tuesday the state will not take as many
evacuees into shelters from out-of-state this year to make sure
shelter space is available for Alabama residents. He said the state
will be particularly cautious about filling shelters if there's a
chance another hurricane could affect the Alabama coast.
More than 6,500 evacuees, mostly from Louisiana, filled 28
shelters at community colleges across Alabama over Labor Day
weekend last year as Hurricane Gustav approached the Louisiana
coast. Another storm, Hurricane Ike, hit Texas about a week later.
Riley made the comments as Alabama officials gathered to review
plans for the 2009 hurricane season.


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)