The majority of us might never have to know the devastation of having to leave our homes to go live in some public shelter. It is something that no family expects to have to do, but when natural disasters strike, there could be no other choice available. Some people who are evacuated from there homes because of a flood or fire situation in their area, might not have any friends or relatives to go to. When there is no money available to seek shelter in a motel or rent a new temporary home, a public shelter is all there is left.

Many Hurricane Katrina victims were placed in this situation for weeks and some for months while they awaited federal assistance to help get them back on their feet. The loan and grant applications were a tedious process and the red tape and waiting was almost intolerable. After the recent Hurricane Ike, things seem to move along a little smoother as far as evacuations, rescues, and aid, but there is never an easy or quick way to deal with tragedies like a hurricane that leaves widespread flooding.

In the worst cases, people must leave their homes in a hurry and sometimes do not have the time or means to take all of the things with them that they need for an extended stay somewhere. Clothes and other personal supplies are hurriedly thrown into a few bags to take along. These evacuees usually have no idea when or even if they will be returning. In the past, pets were not always allowed to come along, but to prevent the heartbreak and loss of pets, provisions were made so that some could take their pets with them when folks evacuated for Hurricane Ike.

Shelters might be provided by the local governments, churches, or even individual homes. It must be a terrible feeling to have no money, no job to go to at least temporarily, and have you and your family dependant of the charity and goodwill of others just to have food and a place to stay. Shelters can be cramped and crowded and you might end up sleeping beside who knows who. Usually they will be people in the same exact situation, someone who simply has no choice but to be there.

As trying a time as it might be for people being forced to reside in a shelter for a time, they are usually grateful that they have somewhere to lay there head that is warm, dry, and safe for the time being. Just having those immediate needs met is a relief for parents of children who have no home at the moment to take them to. Some of those who stay at temporary shelters will gradually get their lives back in order, but it is usually a journey that is heartbreaking and difficult to contend with to say the least.