Hoeven Announces Hurricane Assistance Hotline, Web Site

Press Release

Gov. John Hoeven today announced a new toll-free number and web-based registration form to help North Dakotans more easily offer assistance and bring essential services to evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane evacuees and host families are urged to contact the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services at 877-468-9407 to register for a range of essential services, including housing, healthcare, social and employment services.

"North Dakotans have opened their wallets, their homes and their hearts to the victims of Hurricane Katrina," Hoeven said. "We want to make sure that all evacuees who arrive in North Dakota by any means get the essential services they need while they are here."

Citizens wishing to provide available housing or furniture for the effort can log on to the Governor's web page at governor.state.nd.us, the state's home page at www.nd.gov, or the home page of the Department of Emergency Services at www.state.nd.us/des. To donate other items, including bedding, baby items, hygiene products, school supplies or toys, North Dakotans are encouraged to contact the North Dakota Community Action Association in Bismarck at 800-223-0364 or their local agency www.ndcaa.org.

At this time, clothing items are not being accepted and donations of non-perishable food items should be made through local food pantries.

"Although we've been notified that large scale evacuations to North Dakota are not imminent, we continue to prepare for that possibility," Hoeven said. "North Dakota is ready and willing to help however we can."

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