Since electrical power and telephone service has been restored in Mississippi, carriers wanting to help make in-state deliveries for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort should contact Steve Boudreaux at the Mississippi Trucking Association, 601-354-0616 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central), or the distribution warehouse, 601-969-6155, after hours.
Boudreaux also can direct potential volunteers to places where aid is needed.
Carriers with relief supplies to be delivered to Mississippi also should contact the Mississippi volunteer hotline, 866-230-8903, to exchange information and to receive instructions.
Contractors and vendors should deal directly with the Mississippi Emergency Management Administration, 601-352-9100.
In Louisiana, warehouse distribution centers for donated goods now are open in Alexandria, New Iberia, Baker and Hammond. Bottled water, baby food, meals ready to eat, individually wrapped snacks and diapers still are needed, but please do not send used clothes or shoes.
Call Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster at 225-922-0772 to find out the best warehouse for delivery depending on the goods you are transporting.
Or call the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, 225-928-5682, for help in coordinating the load.
Only a few centers are accepting nonperishable commodities. Trucks must have a final destination and a contact person before being allowed into Louisiana. All goods should be on pallets, all loads should have complete manifests, and all drivers should call before arriving at the destination, so that volunteers will be on hand to unload the goods.
ATA members should monitor the Katrina Relief Effort page at www.truckline.com for updates.
