State expecting about 2,000 evacuees

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As many as 2,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees are expected to arrive in Washington state this week, likely on Thursday, Gov. Christine Gregoire said Monday.

The evacuees may be flown to McChord Air Force Base and housed initially at Fort Lewis Army base, although those plans were still being finalized, said Rob Harper, a state emergency management spokesman.

After that, they’ll be directed to more permanent quarters in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties – for a stay officials estimate could last six to nine months.

“We are preparing for the arrival on Thursday morning for any number of individuals,” Gregoire told reporters Monday.

State, county, military and private relief agencies will be involved in the effort.

The refugees will need help with food, housing, crisis intervention, clothing, transportation, finances and schooling, Gregoire noted.

“Like so many people in Washington, I want to help our fellow citizens in their hour of need,” the governor said earlier in a statement.

The governor proclaimed a state of emergency to help state agencies use resources on an emergency basis, and has written to President Bush, asking federal disaster assistance to support the state’s efforts, Harper said.

“It’s going to be an enormous task,” King County Executive Ron Sims said. “We’re going to ask the public to work with us because that’s going to be absolutely critical. Faith-based communities are going to be absolutely essential to provide housing and clothing and places for people to live.”

County emergency planners were looking at such housing options as vacant senior centers, conference centers, hotels and motels.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has asked his staff to make a quick inventory of available housing, spokeswoman Marianne Bichsel said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials last week asked all states whether they could handle evacuees, said Mark Clemens, another state emergency management spokesman.

“They’re to be treated as guests, for however long they’re here,” Clemens said. “When they’re rested and cleaned up, they can sit down and begin to deal with things like getting in touch with family and accessing their bank accounts.”

In addition to Texas, where nearly a quarter-million refugees have filled the state’s relief centers, states offering to help include: Oregon, West Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Michigan, Iowa, New York and Pennsylvania.

It was not immediately known which state’s evacuees would be sent to Washington.