Website Helps Families Check on Gustav Evacuees

    The Louisiana State Social Services Department has set up an online database and
hot line for people to check on their family and friends who were evacuated and sheltered before
Hurricane Gustav.

    The Internet-based locator is available at
operationreconnect.dss.state.la.us/PersonLocator. Only individuals
who were evacuated by state-assisted transportation will show up as
registered in the evacuee-tracking system.

    People can also check with Operation Reconnect through a hot
line number: 1-800-957-1601. Family members who call the hot line
will be asked to provide the name of the person they’re trying to
find, and operators will search the database of evacuees, as well
as a Red Cross list that includes in-state and out-of-state
evacuees. The Red Cross list includes only shelter residents who
allow their names to be released.

    Residents who evacuated for Gustav are in shelters in Louisiana,
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.