Jacobs Camp hosting Katrina evacuees

The Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, Miss., is hosting about 150 evacuees from the New Orleans area. Among the evacuees are residents of the Louise Davis Developmental Center for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities, which designated the camp as its evacuation site after the 2004 hurricane season.

About 75 members of Reform congregations in New Orleans are at the camp. “We have lots of food, power and facilities to take care of everyone,” said Jonathan Cohen, director of the camp. “We’re well stocked, and are ready to ride out the storm.”

The hurricane came ashore early this morning between New Orleans and the Biloxi/Gulfport area, and at mid-day was bearing down on Hattiesburg. Twenty-foot surges have been reported in Biloxi, with water reaching the second floor of the Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi. The Mississippi coast’s only synagogue, Beth Israel in Biloxi, is located about three blocks from the beach.

Downtown Mobile has seen flooding. The two synagogues are away from downtown; though this summer Springhill Avenue Temple has been repairing its roof, which was damaged by Hurricane Ivan last September.

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