MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
Many people who decided to flee the coast ahead of Isaac ended up here in Central Alabama.
To attend the growing need, the America Red Cross opened a shelter in Montgomery Wednesday, after receiving a number of calls from evacuees.
"It was over 15. That's generally the number we use to open up a shelter," said Grover Henry, with the American Red Cross. "When we hit that number we decided to open up Aldersgate."
Beatrice Dorsey, her son David and family friend Yolanda Miles were among the first to stay at the shelter. They made the decision to leave Louisiana before Isaac hit and headed to Montgomery.
"We decided to come here to get out of harm's way," Beatrice Dorsey said.
They've evacuated for past hurricanes, including Gustav and Katrina. Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of its landfall on the Gulf Coast. The evacuees are hopeful Isaac's wrath won't be as fierce for the family and friends they left behind.
"I have a couple of them that stayed back," David Dorsey said. "And they're just saying they're ok, but you know anything can happen."
They're grateful the Red Cross has given them a less expensive option than hotels.
"It's not cheap at all. Gas has just sky-rocketed," Yolanda Miles said. "You gotta do what you gotta do to get out of harm's way."
The shelter is located at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 6610 Vaughn Road. The Red Cross said it is prepared to open other shelters in Montgomery should the need arise.
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