As of late Wednesday night, the number of families in Fayette County who escaped areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina has risen to 289.
Some 60 of those families need housing, and the Fayette County Department of Family and Children Services is coordinating that and other assistance to the families, many of whom may not be able to go home for months because of the damage. That is the largest need for the families right now.
Many families are staying here in Fayette with friends or family, officials said.
Wednesday afternoon, the Fayette County Board of Commissioners authorized up to $25,000 to help DFCS meet the needs of these families. DFCS still needs gift cards, certificates and cash donations which are passed on to the families so they can purchase food, clothing and medicine.
Snacks and drinks are being offered to families while they wait in the DFCS lobby, and such donations are also welcome, officials said. Almost 100 families were processed Wednesday.