NATCHEZ &045;&045; Bad weather may bring good news for Adams County.

Hurricane Dennis, which is anticipated to target Alabama and Mississippi coasts, has people searching for shelter in Natchez. Irving Henry, Natchez Pilgrimage tours customer service supervisor, said about 95 percent of their 23 bed and breakfasts are completely full for the weekend.

&uot;The first thing (the customers) tell us is ‘we’re running from the storm,’&uot; Henry said.

Reservations from New Orleans and other coastal areas began to pile in three days ago. The influx of evacuees comes less than a year after crowds of out-of-towners sought Natchez as a safe haven from Ivan. For the Red Cross Ivan meant valuable experience.

&uot;The memory is still fresh,&uot; said John Goodrich, director of Natchez’s Red Cross chapter.

The Red Cross and other Natchez emergency departments came together Friday to discuss Hurricane Dennis and what the city is doing to prepare for the event.

Goodrich said the Red Cross is better prepared because they are more aware of what to except and what things fell short last year.

&uot;The more we prepare ourselves, the more we can prepare for the ones who are coming,&uot; said Darryl Grennell, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors.

Natchez officials are encouraging residents to provide shelter for people who are escaping the potential dangers of Hurricane Dennis. Recommendations like allowing a tent or mobile vehicle to be placed on private property for the weekend were suggested by Civil Defense director George Souderes, to help the city with accommodating visitors who are not able to find a place to stay. Due to an event cancellation the Isle of Capri has about 20 rooms available.

Goodrich said he had no idea how many people will come for shelter.

&uot;Unfortunately, it’s human nature to wait to the last minute,&uot; he said.

For now all five shelters, which include Steckler Multi-Purpose Center and Parkway Baptist Church, will hold a total capacity of 1,150 people. The shelters are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. today. Shelters managed by the Natchez Red Cross are covered by Red Cross liability insurance.

Goodrich said finding volunteers and funding for the Red Cross would be difficult if a natural disaster does hit Adams County. Goodrich said since the recent tropical storms and hurricanes passed Adams County, residents are shying away from natural disaster support.

&uot;Most people in Adams County have this false sense of security,&uot; he said of the preparation level from residents.

Although Hurricane Dennis will first hit coastal regions, there is a chance it may move to the west toward Natchez and surrounding areas.

Goodrich said of the 70 letters he sent to local corporations requesting funding for the Red Cross, only one responded. Goodrich said if Dennis does do some harm to Adams County, in the future residents will be more prone to prepare and volunteer for natural disasters in their community.