UPDATE:  Storm Evacuees in Ala. Go Home Friday Morning

By Linda White
Reporter
Published: September 4, 2008

The buses at the Alabama State Fairgrounds are a welcome sight for the hundreds of evacuees at Fair Park Arena.  These buses mean evacuees are one step closer to going home.

Five days away from home, evacuees are anxious and ready to get back.

Evacuee Brandy Brown said, “Whenever they say get on the bus, we’re going to go and get on the buses.“

We talked to Brandy Brown, an evacuee staying at Fair Park Arena, earlier in the week.  A college student and single mom, today she’s off to the library to finish a paper.

Brandy said, “I’m going to do my paper, it’s due on the 8th which is I think, next Monday or Tuesday and I’m going to do that since I’m here. You know we don’t have much to do, so I’ll do that.“

So at least some are keeping busy - like Brandy.  For others it’s the same old thing at Fair Park - but now they have a better idea of when they’re going home.  That’s because of a staging area at the Fair Grounds.  Nearly 80 buses in all, they will take all of the evacuees here in Alabama, back home.

Shelter Manager Carly Friedman said, “It’s looks like we’re getting buses in Birmingham, getting everything organized but it is going to be a long process to get everyone out of here.“

State officials hope to get the green light from Louisiana soon.  Evacuees could begin the journey home as early as Saturday.  Worried about a job, money and living day to day the ride home can’t come soon enough for Brandy.

Brandy said, “I’m just ready to go back.  I’m in a good mood and ready to go back.“

Back to a city – Brandy’s called home - all her life.

Again, charter buses are gathering at the staging area at the Alabama State Fairgrounds.  They will go to all Alabama shelters to pick up evacuees and return them home.