Rita -- Shelter From The Storm That Missed Houston

Evant, TX, population 392, is located about 70 miles west of Waco, TX.

After the nightmarish ordeal of evacuating Houston and countless "no vacancy" signs, FEMA directed us to this small town and an available shelter at Evant's First Baptist Church.

We arrived at 2:30 a.m. Friday morning, sacked out on a pew for a few hours, and awoke to find the nicest, friendliest, most sincerely generous people I have ever met in my life. We stayed until Saturday afternoon.

Twenty - thirty people sheltered here at various times, and hot meals were provided. Sunday School classrooms were allotted to offer a little privacy. The church had only one shower, but a church member opened her vacant rent house and let us shower there. At least four people offered us their own homes to stay in.

My husband and son trucked a huge painted sign to the main highway directing others to the shelter. I helped compile a computer file of evacuees for FEMA purposes.

Since it was Friday night in Texas, that meant football. It was homecoming and the Evant Elks played a good game, ultimately losing 35 - 33. We were given free tickets. There was barbecue after the game and a dance at 10:00, but we were tired and returned to the shelter early.

On Saturday, we were able to reserve motel rooms in College Station. Mindful of gas shortages and fearful of traffic jams going back into Houston, we still felt we should try to get closer to home. Before leaving, we were told that if we got stranded to give them a call and they would come pick us up.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the good folks of Evant, TX, their First Baptist Church, and especially to their Pastor David Bonnett who worked extremely hard to organize and accommodate evacuees from Hurricane Rita.

Sunday morning, we left College Station and drove home on a full tank. It was smooth sailing, 65 mph all the way. Only a few gas stations were open along the way. It's good to be home.

--LynZee
Related: Rita -- Evacuation Hell