Local Red Cross volunteer helping Gustav evacuees

NEW ROADS, La. – A correspondent for The Daily Item is currently volunteering in a shelter for Hurricane Gustav evacuees.Salem resident Jack Butterworth, 66, is stationed in a civic center in New Roads, La., which is approximately 20 miles north of Baton Rouge.Butterworth, who arrived in Louisiana Saturday, said he hunkered down as Hurricane Gustav roared ashore as a Category 2 hurricane Monday.”The eye passed about 30 miles south of us,” he said. “We saw a lot of trees down and damage. We had a couple of tornado warnings but we’ve been pretty lucky.”Butterworth said Tuesday he was assigned to the shelter in New Roads where he expects to stay a week but getting there was a problem.”We drove up here yesterday from Baton Rouge,” he said. “It took us six tries to get here because of roads blocked by fallen trees, closed bridges and flooded roads.”Butterworth is staying in the civic center with other Red Cross volunteers, a couple of National Guardsmen and approximately 100 evacuees.In a telephone interview Wednesday, Butterworth said the civic center was still without power.”We’ve got about 100 people here,” he said. “People displaced by the storm. People who had flood problems or trees hit their houses.”Butterworth said the only power is supplied by generators but food and water are plentiful.”We’re in a place with only enough electricity to power the lights,” he said. “The sinks work but the toilets are useless and are backed up. We’re using port-a-potties. The local sheriff prepared a bunch of meals for people last night. It’s really a lesson for me here. These people have less than we do but they are some of the best people.”Butterworth laughed as he watched a little boy sweeping the floors of the civic center.”He’s sweeping like there’s no tomorrow,” he said. “He just poked his brother with the broom. Everyone sweeps, mops and helps keep this place clean.”Butterworth said life in the shelter is pretty calm and many people are optimistic.”We have a couple of National Guard people on duty but there really isn’t much call for their services,’ he said. “Some people are kind of in shock and despair but others are really upbeat and rising above this.”Butterworth has been volunteering with the Red Cross since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005 and he said there is no doubt Hurricane Gustav caused less devastation.”I think it’s because people were a lot more prepared for this storm,” he said. “When people were told to get out they got out.”Hurricane Gustav caused an estimated $12 billion damage and many of the 1.9 million evacuees are preparing to return home. Many officials, including New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, warned residents not to rush home until mandatory evacuation orders were lifted and authorities had ensured residential areas were safe.Butterworth said some of the people in the civic center have started venturing out during the day but are returning to the shelter at night.”Some go out during the day,” he said. “They come back at night because their homes are pretty much wrecked. I spoke to a gentleman (Wednesday) morning who is planning on going back to New Orleans (today).”