Governor Urges Citizens to Utilize the Michigan Hurricane Helpline

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2005

Contact: Dana Wolverton 517/333-5032
EMD NR-04

LANSING - The State of Michigan is opening its arms to aid and house victims of Hurricane Katrina. Governor Jennifer Granholm announced today that she offered - on behalf of the State of Michigan - to temporarily house 10,000 hurricane victims. The hurricane victims would be housed at Fort Custer in Augusta and Camp Grayling in Grayling. Her offer was made yesterday to FEMA; however FEMA has NOT confirmed that it will be sending any evacuees to Michigan. She urged Michigan citizens to call the Michigan Hurricane Helpline at 1-888-535-6136 to pledge donations of goods and services.

"We are ready and waiting for official notification that our housing is needed," said Granholm. "There's no doubt there is tremendous need and we want to be ready to offer the exact assistance needed at a moment's notice.

Offers of goods, services and activities to the Hurricane Helpline will be cataloged and coordinated so that when the affected areas ask for particular assistance, the state can deliver immediately. The Governor announced the new hotline yesterday during a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center. Granholm also reminded citizens to visit the state's Website at www.michigan.gov for up-to-date information on how to donate goods, services and money to aid the relief effort. Also available on the website are links to relief organizations established by the respective state governments in the disaster area for monetary donations.

"With the potential that Michigan may be receiving evacuees, it is more important than ever that Michigan's citizens find it in their hearts to donate and to do so in a coordinated way," said Granholm. "Donations will not only benefit the gulf area, but will assist relief organizations in Michigan to provide needed services for the hurricane evacuees if they should arrive here."