[OleMissGlitter]

Tad Smith Coliseum Open as Overflow Emergency Shelter
08/29/2005


OXFORD, Miss. - University of Mississippi officials have opened Tad Smith Coliseum as an overflow shelter for people displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Physical Plant workers began covering the facility's basketball court Monday morning, said Buddy Kahler, associate director of the UM Physical Plant Department. All restrooms have been stocked, trash receptacles are available and restricted areas have been cordoned off, he said.

Both First Baptist Church on Van Buren Avenue and Calvary Baptist Church on Highway 30 have opened shelters in coordination with the American Red Cross, which is routing people to appropriate locations. The university is offering the coliseum as an overflow site, Kahler said. The coliseum also is available as a primary shelter for students in case of any problems with residence halls or other student housing.

Anyone needing shelter for the night can come to the coliseum, located on Coliseum Drive near Highway 6. People using the shelter should park in legal parking spaces surrounding the coliseum and use one of the front entrances.

"There are no accommodations for sleeping, so anyone who comes needs to bring their own comfort items: sleeping bags or bedding, toiletry items or whatever they need," Kahler said. Due to health and safety concerns, no pets are allowed in the coliseum. Also, only battery-operated electrical devices should be used to avoid overloading the building's circuits. University personnel are on hand for security and to answer questions, he said.

For more information or assistance, call UM's Physical Plant Department at 662-915-7051 or 662-915-7003.

by staff
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Newsdesk Story #4628

ETA: The weather has gotten worse since 8am this morning. The winds are blowing harder and the rain is coming down . Classes are cancelled at Ole Miss until 1pm tomorrow.