As homesick victims balk, state shelter plan on hold - San Jose Merc 9/8

[Coastie for Truth]

As homesick victims balk, state shelter plan on hold

The plan to send 1,000 Hurricane Katrina victims to California has been put on hold by federal emergency officials after the evacuees told them they wanted to stay closer to home.

``FEMA informed the state that people preferred to remain in their local area close to families so they could search for missing loved ones and find employment and get settled back closer to home,'' said Holly Sisneros, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Emergency Services.

She added California still remains prepared to accept evacuees should federal emergency officials change their minds.

San Jose and San Francisco officials said Wednesday they had been told by state emergency officials that filling the needs of evacuees was more difficult and complicated than originally thought and not to expect anyone, at least for the time being.