Patriot Center possible evacuation site for Gustav refugees

The University could possibly be a refugee shelter for Beaumont citizens fleeing hurricane Gustav, Tyler city officials announced today.

"The City of Tyler is fully prepared to respond should an evacuation be called," said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. "We are standing by and are poised to receive evacuees."

University News and Information Director Beverley Golden said refugees would be housed in the Herrington Patriot Center.

The administration is looking for volunteers to help with evacuees. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks hurricanes, anticipates Gustav hitting landfall late Monday, and accuweather.com meteorologists predict Gustav increasing to a Category 4 hurricane as it passes over the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Katrina three years earlier reached Category 5.

According to accuweather.com, "The storm poses a serious threat to lives and property along the Gulf Coast, with landfall forecast late Monday or early on Tuesday. The threat will extend well inland from the immediate coast."

In 2005 University administrators housed hurricane Katrina and Rita refugees in the Patriot Center.

The Patriot Talon is following the situation closely and updates will be available throughout the weekend.