New Orleans MeFite refugees need shelter

August 28, 2005 8:21 AM

Public service announcement: There are some MeFi members that may need temporary shelter from the evacuation of New Orleans. If anyone lives in the area and has an extra bed or couch handy, please post here.
posted by Civil_Disobedient to MetaFilter-Related at 8:21 AM (44 comments total)

I'm in Houston if anyone can make it that far on IH10 and we can take in at least two stays for as long as needed. Just EMP at the address on my profile and I'll send directions.
posted by pomegranate at 9:16 AM on August 28, 2005

Sorry that would be "two people to stay." Also, you don't need to be a registered Mefier, if you're reading this and you're in N.O. with no place to go, come on.
posted by pomegranate at 9:23 AM on August 28, 2005

Unfortunately, I'm already hosting five people...
posted by nile_red at 9:33 AM on August 28, 2005

I've got a semi-furnished apartment above mine in Houston that's got just about everything but beds, and could fit two adults and a kid, though it'd be cramped.

E-mail is in profile.
posted by WolfDaddy at 9:55 AM on August 28, 2005

I have a couch and lots of floor space. I am am ten hours north of New Orleans in Carthage, Missouri. Email in the profile, send me your cell number or other contact.
posted by LarryC at 10:02 AM on August 28, 2005

I'm in Memphis. Email is in profile. I've got a couch.
posted by Carbolic at 10:30 AM on August 28, 2005

[link in post updated to go to the proper comment]
posted by jessamyn at 10:51 AM on August 28, 2005

10 hours from NOLA in Asheville NC. Email in profile, can hold 2-3 as long as needed.
posted by moonbird at 11:38 AM on August 28, 2005

My place is way too far from NO, in NYC, but my family may be within useful range -- central Texas, probably 14 hours away. They'll put up refugees and animals, and so will family friends. Email me if the trip's feasible, or if you just want a backup.
posted by vetiver at 12:06 PM on August 28, 2005

Crap. Sorry I didn't make this clear - pets are welcome, we have dogs and cats. Usually in big evacuations like this pets get left behind because most shelters don't take them and people aren't sure where they'll end up.
posted by pomegranate at 12:13 PM on August 28, 2005

Yes! Pets welcome here too! Thanks vetiver for mentioning that.
posted by WolfDaddy at 12:14 PM on August 28, 2005

Followup: Several friends have offered space as well for as many that need it.
posted by moonbird at 12:27 PM on August 28, 2005

I'm east of Moonbird in Greensboro, NC. I doubt folks will be travelling this far, but just in case: There are two vacant apartments in my building. Won't be rented anytime soon if you have to wait things out for a few weeks. Water is on in both, but only one has electric. Pet friendly as well.
posted by kortez at 12:44 PM on August 28, 2005

more offers and resources in the metachat thread used while mefi was down.
posted by moonbird at 3:42 PM on August 28, 2005

I'm In Fort Smith, Arkansas, just west of Little Rock. We have a large house and you can stay as long as you need. [e-mail]
posted by Ugh at 3:56 PM on August 28, 2005

(About 10 hours away after MapQuesting it)
posted by Ugh at 3:57 PM on August 28, 2005

Mapquest lists the journey from NoLa to Taylor, TX, as 500 miles, or 8 hours and 35 minutes. The mileage seems accurate, though the time estimation assumes that the traveler has borrowed George Jetson's ride.

Just talked to my brother. Anyone who makes it to Taylor has a place for as long as they need it. Bring the dogs, the cats, the ruminants. It's a farm town. There's pasture.
posted by vetiver at 4:04 PM on August 28, 2005

If anyone gets that far inland, I'm in Knoxville, TN. Email at [e-mail]
posted by c13 at 5:15 PM on August 28, 2005

Atlanta (about 10 hours,) room for 2 at least. Pets okeh. Email ijoshua at gmail.
posted by ijoshua at 6:27 PM on August 28, 2005

I've got a sofa bed in Houston if anyone needs it (and floor space if it comes to that.) Hope you like cats, 'cause I got two (they won't like it, but they can deal with feline visitors if they have to.)

Best email would be the work email in the comments, since I can pick it up on my Blackberry 24/7.

Take care, all.
posted by Cyrano at 6:45 PM on August 28, 2005

I doubt I can be much help as I am in Augusta, GA, 2 hours east of Atlanta, but we do have two extra bedrooms, assorted couches and pets are welcome. My email is in my profile and my name is in the phone book. I have a lot of fond memories of New Orleans and am looking forward to having more.
posted by TedW at 7:55 PM on August 28, 2005

Asheville, usually 8 hours away. 1 extra bedroom, 1 living room couch. Bring your animals. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, there's always room for more. Email in profile, I check it regularly.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:01 PM on August 28, 2005

Jackson, Mississippi. 3 hours North on I-55. Guest bedroom/ bathroom and we can move some kids out of kids rooms. [e-mail]. My wife just said she wanted me to call the shelter and then I see this post.
posted by Mhead at 9:37 PM on August 28, 2005

I'd offer my couch, but I'm in Toronto. I just wanted to say that this thread gives me warm fuzzy feelings. You guys rock.
posted by dazed_one at 12:34 AM on August 29, 2005

I would offer a couch to crash but I doubt I am anywhere near you, we are talking west coast.

But I have to say this is what makes mefi a really cool place t go to.
posted by Dean Keaton at 4:41 AM on August 29, 2005

[this is beautiful]
posted by benzo8 at 4:41 AM on August 29, 2005

Yeah, I wish I could ship my guest room to someone. I love you people for opening your homes to strangers.
posted by orange swan at 6:22 AM on August 29, 2005

Best use of MeTa ever? Ditto, orange swan.
posted by psmealey at 7:05 AM on August 29, 2005

Austin, TX. About 10 hours IIRC. One bedroom while kid's at college and a comfy futon in living room. House is small & old but safe & clean. Pets welcome. It's me & 2 dogs. email in profile.

Finally delurking for this one. I knew this place was great.
posted by green herring at 7:17 AM on August 29, 2005

We have spare bedrooms in Dallas. E-mail if I can be of any help.
posted by dios at 8:46 AM on August 29, 2005

Yesterday someone posted a question to Ask Metafilter about who to volunteer with. Here's a list:

Adventist Community Services

1-800-381-7171

Catholic Charities, USA

703 549-1390

Christian Disaster Response

941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee

1-800-848-5818

Church World Service

1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope

417-823-8998

Lutheran Disaster Response

800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service

717-859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response

888-256-5886

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

800-872-3283

Salvation Army

1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief

1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

United Methodist Committee on Relief

1-800-554-8583
posted by SpecialK at 7:18 PM on August 29, 2005

We have two sofas and lots of floor acreage. Kids are welcome, too; we have a 4-year-old who currently has nobody to share his stuff with. I'm in Monroe, Louisiana, and my email address is in my profile.
posted by littlegreenlights at 10:12 AM on August 30, 2005

I'm just outside Little Rock. Email's in my profile.
posted by box at 7:44 PM on August 30, 2005

I'm in Baton Rouge and have a spare bedroom/bathroom with a futon available. email in profile.
posted by rand at 7:53 PM on August 30, 2005

I've set up a database for refugees and families to use to contact one another. It's very basic. If I find people are using it tomorrow AM, I'll work on it some more.

Please spread the word:

http://katrina.streetlampsoftware.com
posted by SpecialK at 12:43 AM on August 31, 2005

We live in Colorado, but if there is a family (up to two adults and two children, no pets) that is wanting to restart in the Rockies, we would be willing to give food and shelter until you are back on your feet (up to a year). I could probably also find other people here that would be willing to help in a similar manner. Send an e-mail (available through my profile).
tom
posted by tomsatter at 12:55 PM on August 31, 2005

Colorado here as well (downtown Denver). I don't have a lot of room (single or couple ok) unfortunately no pets could be accomodated. If you find it necessary to go as far afield as Colorado, what's mine is yours.
posted by m@ at 3:43 PM on August 31, 2005

Contact in profile, natch.
posted by m@ at 3:45 PM on August 31, 2005

We have room for a couple or one in Lafayette. User nombre proctor, domain name bayoutrails.org
posted by atchafalaya at 5:35 AM on September 1, 2005

I just found out from NPR that Columbia University is making special admittance possible for Tulane students for the Fall semester - weblink not found. So if you need to come up here to register, etc. I have space in my Jersey City apartment. Pets welcome, but know that I have two cats, so it could get weird.
posted by lilboo at 7:07 AM on September 1, 2005

Austin, TX--our guest room is occupied right now, but we can provide meals, babysitting, and petsitting as needed. Gmail: ari.brown
posted by whatnot at 4:36 PM on September 1, 2005

lilboo--I think a bunch of universities are stepping up to the plate and taking in students for the fall. Here is UT's page about it. In my office we are dealing with a number of housing offers/requests, but the administration is still working on a way to keep things safe for hosts and guests.
posted by whatnot at 4:42 PM on September 1, 2005

My wife and I live in Mansfield, Texas. We have a spare bedroom and two blow-up beds. We have have room for a couple, or a family with one or two kids.

We do have dogs (one pug and one old german shepard), just in case you may have pet allergies, but they're both really sweet.

shawnstruck at gmail dot com.
posted by ShawnStruck at 10:46 AM on September 2, 2005

Also check out MoveOn's www.hurricanehousing.org for a listing of free housing offers. They've got 50,000 beds on offer now, and counting.
posted by naomi at 12:38 PM on September 2, 2005