Savannah woman evacuated her home to escape Hurricane Irma

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A shelter in North Macon opened its doors Friday morning to people who evacuated from Hurricane Irma. People from Coastal Georgia and Florida checked in.

Ernestine Wright, Savannah resident, decided to come to Macon with her husband after she heard the governor in Florida say Hurricane Irma would be bad.

“And then they showed the storm and I told my husband that we have to go, you know, we can’t stay here,” Wright said.

She said it was important to leave because God only gives you one life.

“I’m not afraid of the storm in my house because, see God can give you another house, but he can’t give you another life,” Wright said.

Sarah Wynn is the Disaster Program Specialist for Central Midwest Georgia Red Cross. She said since the shelter opened it’s doors, people have come in with high spirits.

“It’s a lot of relief and appreciation. A lot of clients are even helping us get the shelter set up and it’s pretty great to see,” Wynn said.

Wright said had to stay at a Red Cross shelter in 1993 when a storm hit her home. She said the Red Cross helped her then, which is why she was willing to stay at their shelter again.

“I always talk about the Red Cross. I help them anytime I can get, anytime I have a chance. I help the Red Cross because I know before they helped me,” Wright said.

The shelter in North Macon can hold up to 120 people. Once it reaches it’s capacity, the Red Cross will open up another shelter.

If you’re interested in volunteering at a Red Cross Shelter, visit their website.