|
Family Escapes Hurricane, Shelters with Red Cross
Kate Fowlie, Special to RedCross.org
Monday, September 20, 2004 — Stranded in their car during Hurricane Ivan, Carolyn Clack and her two children found a safe haven in an American Red Cross shelter.
The Clack family, which includes Ke’yhana, 6, and Gregory, 9, were on their way home to Tampa, Florida from Fort Worth, Texas when they got caught in the storm late Wednesday night in Theodore, a small town near Mobile County.
Ke’yhana Clack, 6, of Tampa (front) and her brother, Gregory, 9, and their mother, Carolyn, 31, talk with American Red Cross volunteer Kate Fowlie on Thursday (Sept. 16) at the Red Cross’s shelter set up in Theodore High School in Theodore, Alabama. The Clack family found a safe haven at the shelter after being stranded in their car during Hurricane Ivan.(Photo by Ed Porter)
|
Clack said she thought the Hurricane was due to strike Thursday night. It began to rain as she entered Mississippi. By Alabama, the wind was violently buffeting her car. Terrified, she couldn’t go any further and pulled into a gas station that was closed down because of power outages.
“The car was rocking back and forth. When I opened the car door it just slammed shut- that’s how hard the wind was. I started panicking. I didn’t think we were going to make it,” she said.
Clack called 9-11 on her cell phone and Alabama State Trooper Ferguson told her about the Red Cross shelter nearest to her and told her to go there immediately. The shelter was full, but shelter manager Joyce Kyles, a Red Cross volunteer with the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter, made space for the rain-soaked and exhausted trio.
“I was afraid I would be turned away,” Clack said. “I’m so grateful.”
Ke’yhana said she was scared.
”When my Mom opened the door, the wind came in and made her hair fly,” said the wide-eyed little girl with braids.
Despite his young age, Gregory kept a brave face as the hurricane raged outside the shelter at Theodore High School with torrential rain and howling winds of 120 mph.
“It was scary in the car but I had to be brave to protect her,” he said hugging his little sister. “I am the man of the house.”
Red Cross volunteers gave the family snacks and led them to a clear space in the shelter. Another shelter resident brought them sodas, which Ke’yhana and Gregory happily accepted.
“Is everyone nice here?” Gregory asked in wonder.
|
