Norman Park is first destination for many evacuees heading to Georgia

Joe Westbury

Norman Park Baptist Conference Center

Joe Westbury

Andrea D’Aquin of Slidell, La., holds 15-month-old Camryn as she chooses among clothing items for her family at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Norman Park. D’Aquin and her family of 8 were among the first of the New Orleans evacuees who arrived in Georgia as they fled rising flood waters in their communities. “We don’t know what to expect – if this is just temporary or if we are going to start a new life. We don’t know anything other than we don’t have anything to go back to. It’s hard, it’s real hard. I’m just all cried out,” she said.

Joe Westbury

Slidell, La., evacuee Raye Ann D'Aquin, two-and-a-half, holds a teddy bear given to her by Georgia Baptists who stocked an emergency clothing center in the gym at Norman Park. The child was among thousands of Gulf Coast area residents who are being resettled in Georgia following the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Joe Westbury

Volunteer Martha Fox of Calvary Baptist Church in Tifton helps arrange shoes at Norman Park.

Joe Westbury

Volunteer Edna Willis counsels with an evacuee on campus. As Willis listens, Yvonne Weems, left, holding two-year-old Mary, describes surviving on the rooftop with her family as 28-foot floodwaters lapped at the side of their house. Willis, a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Omega, holds Weems' other daughter, Molly, age 6.

Joe Westbury

Lanie Turner, 11, of Biloxi, Miss., accepts a Thomas County Central High School T-shirt from Arlene Carstens of First Baptist Church of Thomasville. Turner and her family were among those taken under watchcare of the church as evacuees sought temporary accommodations in the south Georgia city. Many students have been enrolled in local schools to continue their education.

Joe Westbury

Mary Mahoney's French House seafood restaurant - and Gary Clark's job as chef - were both lost in the flood waters that swamped Biloxi, Miss. Clark said the owner did not expect to be able to reopen for three years. For the short term, he is calling the Norman Park Conference Center his home.

Joe Westbury

Physician Patrina Bruce of Moultrie, right, a member of Mother Easter Baptist Church, records a prescription as emergency medical technician Lisa Collins of Sylvester looks on. A medical clinic is providing healthcare for evacuees at Norman Park.

Joe Westbury

First Baptist of Norman Park member Jody Horne is pleased with the assistance Georgia Baptists have provided the evacuees.