| OPINION
| SEPTEMBER 23, 2005
Editorial/Our View
Get Ready for Rita
Metroplex residents should prepare
for evacuee relief before the storm hits
Campus activities for the weekend including
Parents Weekend and the Mavs Volleyball game scheduled for today
have been canceled or postponed due to the approach of Hurricane
Rita to the Texas coast. With the advance of the hurricane, the
university community should be prepared for inclement weather and
get ready to help out Rita evacuees in any way possible.
As of Thursday, Hurricane Rita decreased intensity and dropped to
a Category 4 hurricane. If its course doesn’t change, it may
go through Houston, Austin and the Metroplex.
According to http://www.weather.com,
this area is expected to see rain and thunderstorms Saturday through
Tuesday. The hurricane could bring high winds, large amounts of
rain and possibly tornadoes. The university community should take
precautions against this approaching weather by finding cover for
their vehicles in garages or gas stations, canceling travel plans
and buying flashlights and candles for power outages. While the
severity of the weather is not yet known, it would be a good idea
to stock up on food and water.
More than 1 million Rita evacuees are expected to come north to
the Metroplex, and people should be prepared to help provide them
with any resources they need, including shelter, clothing, food
and money. Everyone is now familiar with the damage a hurricane
can cause and should be willing to welcome these evacuees.
There will probably be limited space in shelters due to the Katrina
evacuees in the area, so any extra space you can provide would be
helpful.
For students living on campus and those off campus without extra
room, you may not be able to house your family or friends, but you
can and are encouraged to find them somewhere to stay. Try to see
if any local hotels have vacancies or if any shelters have space
available.
If Hurricane Rita’s strength remains constant, there will
likely be another need for relief. The university community should
once again be ready to donate their time and funds to those affected.
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Editorial
round-up
The issue:
Hurricane Rita is on its way to the Texas coast, and
evacuees are coming to the
Metroplex.
We suggest:
The university
community should prepare for bad weather and to help
Rita evacuees.
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