Published: September 12, 2008 11:55 pm      

Evacuees make stopover in Navarro County; resources respond

Traffic on Interstate 45 had calmed down somewhat by Friday afternoon, but the construction at the intersection of U.S. 287 and I-45 had backed up cars back to Lake Halbert. Corsicana Police were conducting traffic onto U.S. 287 from restaurants and gas stations that have become stop-overs for hundreds of people fleeing Hurricane Ike.

Joanna and Carlos Garcia were coming from the NASA area south of Houston when they stopped at the Exxon to rest for a bit before heading to Dallas to stay with relatives. In their SUV, they had luggage, coolers and their daughter, Charlotte.

“We were told we have to evacuate,” Joanna said.

This is the Garcia’s first year in Texas, after moving from Massachusetts, Carlos explained.

They had experience with fleeing hurricanes up there, Joanna said.

“We have to travel to Dallas every two weeks,” Carlos joked.

Two cars of the Hernandez family were stopped at the Exxon to let the children play and the adults to buy Cokes and snacks. They were also coming from Houston, said Luis Hernandez.

“Our neighborhood is not really safe enough, we’ve got really new houses, and we have little kids,” he explained. They were also headed for Dallas, where family awaited their arrival.

Heather and Kay Metz of Beaumont, with 12-month-old Brayedin Taylor and their pregnant dog, Dolly were sitting in Kay’s white Mustang Friday at the Exxon station at I-45 and U.S. 287, waiting for family members to join them.

They were headed to Arlington, where they had a reservation, Heather said. Crammed into the small car were just the essentials, Heather said.

“Pictures, and clothes,” she said.

Pets of evacuees were being held at the Navarro County Exposition building, and volunteers were being sought to help walk, feed and clean up after them. Volunteers must first be registered with the Red Cross.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached by e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com