City of San Antonio Hurrican Relief Webpage

The City of San Antonio has a wonderful update page outlining what's going on in relief efforts. Includes the number of residents in each shelter as well as updates on available programs. It's updated daily! - JB

Daily Update: September 19, 2005

EVACUATION CENTERS TENANT NUMBERS:

Approximately 2,866 evacuees are housed in the four relief centers in San Antonio. The numbers as of this morning are:

• KellyUSA Building #171: 1,692
• Building #1536: 596
• Levi Straus: 37
• Windsor Ward: 541
• In addition to the above, there are also 243 evacuees housed at six “special needs” shelters that are caring for evacuees with special health concerns.

On Saturday, approximately 300 evacuees living at the Levi Shelter who expressed a desire to stay in the San Antonio area were moved into apartments. Evacuees were able to take the cots and bed linens they were using in the shelter and were also provided with a “starter kit” of kitchen supplies and other necessities to help them get established in their new homes. They were also able to change their mailing address with the United States Postal Service before moving. The housing was made possible through a cooperative effort of the City of San Antonio and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who teamed up to offer intermediate housing for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. A similar effort will continue later this week at the other shelters.

ONGOING SERVICES:

• Evacuees will continue to be bussed to Building 1537 to receive supplemental emergency financial assistance from the Red Cross. The amount of aid will be based on family size and the cost of necessities such as food, toiletries, and other essentials, and is consistent with standard amounts that the Red Cross uses for every disaster.
• Temporary identification cards continue to be issued through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Evacuees are still being offered free, one-way airline or bus tickets if they want to relocate elsewhere in the United States (except New Orleans). The cost will be paid by FEMA. Tickets are available at the two KellyUSA centers (171 and 1536). This service is made possible through a cooperative effort of Catholic Charities, the City of San Antonio, State of Texas, and FEMA.
• The Mexican National Army support to the Hurricane relief effort not only includes food service, but also physicians, nurses, dentists, and paramedics/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's).
• The Paramedics/EMT’s are supporting the local Emergency Medical Services during their stay.
• The Mexican dentists are working with the University of Texas Health System to start providing dental assistance to the evacuees.
• ICARE of San Antonio, a consortium of ophthalmologists, optometrists, student and military personnel, will continue to offer free eye exams and eye care to the evacuees.