Operation Evergreen update; evacuees not expected at Fort Lewis

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2005

CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON -- In an early morning conference call with Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and other governors, Gov. Christine Gregoire learned that substantially fewer Hurricane Katrina evacuees are likely to be headed to Washington.

�Secretary Chertoff said there are now no mass evacuations to other states imminent,� Gov. Gregoire said. �Operation Evergreen has prepared us for that possibility but based on the conversation this morning we are expecting substantially fewer people from the Gulf region to arrive in Washington state.

�We are on standby and will be updated daily be FEMA,� Gov. Gregoire said.

Gov. Gregoire and Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, Director, Washington Military Department, have called Lt. Gen. James Dubik, Commander at Ft. Lewis, to express their appreciation for his cooperation and that of troops at Fort Lewis in assisting with the planning effort. But because of the fewer than originally expected evacuees, Fort Lewis will most likely not be used, Gregoire informed the General. Similar coordination and expressions of appreciation were made to command officials at McChord Air Force Base in Washington.

Gov. Gregoire noted some Hurricane Katrina evacuees are unofficially coming to Washington, and emphasized that FEMA has resources, including debit cards, to provide immediate help.

To receive the assistance, those people need to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by logging on to www.fema.gov.

Gov. Gregoire expressed her appreciation for the state, local and national government organizations along with local community service groups who have come together to gear up Operation Evergreen and said Washington is better ready to meet the needs of any people displaced by Hurricane Katrina that may come to our state.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana participated in the early morning conference call today.

�Gov. Blanco thanked the nation for their overwhelming response and said she and all the citizens of the Gulf Coast are touched by the generosity of the citizens of our great nation,� Gov. Gregoire said.

The primary need remains for money to support Gulf region victims and people who would like to help are asked to donate to Washington Cares, a fund established by Gov. Gregoire in partnership with Washington Mutual. Donations can be made at any Washington Mutual Bank in Washington. Washington Mutual will match all donations, up to $100,000. Washington Mutual will donate all monies received directly to the American Red Cross.

Cash donations are the most needed. As part of the effort to assist guests who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina, state officials have also established a hotline.

Citizens who wish to donate non-cash items can call Operation Evergreen at 1-800-941-2930. Operation Evergreen is an effort of state, local and federal officials along with community organizations to host people in Washington who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

�We will be communicating with FEMA daily regarding offers of donated items and other support to determine how they can best be used to help victims of this tragic devastation,� said Gov. Gregoire.

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