Hurricane Katrina evacuees began arriving by bus in Columbus Wednesday. Others expected to arrive in Columbus Thursday from the Astrodome in Houston will not be coming. Authorities say evacuees in Texas have indicated they want to remain closer to home. Meanwhile, Ohio National Guard members are in the south to help with relief efforts. 19-year-old Alexandria Woodruff of Columbus joined the Guard after graduating last year from Whetstone High School. She began attending the University of Toledo but dropped out recently to answer a call for volunteers for Joint Task Force Buckeye.
Woodruff says the Guard is passing out food, water and ice to hurricane victims in Mississippi. A member of the 737th out of Newark, she says each day brings a mission that lasts about 11 hours.
Woodruff says it feels "really good" to help hurricane victims who seem to "really appreciate it". She says the people seem sad at first, but when they see the Guard helping, it brightens their day and gives them hope.