As the Natchez area prepares to play host to hurricane evacuees from the South, residents of the Miss-Lou should be alert to needs of their families in case of local stormy weather, a Red Cross spokesman said.

Eddie Ray, communications director for the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said homeowners should collect and store any small objects in the yard or carport or on a porch and be sure they know where emergency gas and water cutoffs are located, for example.

&uot;Be aware of your elderly neighbors and check on them. And be sure ahead of time that you have prescription drugs to take you through a few days,&uot; Ray said.

The primary Red Cross shelter will be set up at the Steckler Multi-Purpose Center, with other shelters at Parkway Baptist Church, Community Chapel and Washington Baptist Church.

Ray said the Red Cross divides emergency supplies needed by families into several categories, including water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding and tools and emergency supplies.

The rule for emergency water supply is to have one gallon of water per person per day, with at least a three-day supply for everyone in the family on hand before an emergency occurs.

In addition, a three-day storage of food should include ready-to-eat canned foods, juices and high energy foods such as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars and trail mix.

Special care should be taken to set aside food for infants or elderly family members on special diets, he said.

A first aid kit should be assembled both for the home and for the car, including non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or other pain relievers and medicine for upset stomach. The kit should include a variety of bandages and gauze pads with adhesive tape, as well as scissors, tweezers, antiseptics, soap and latex gloves.

Tools and supplies should include a battery operated radio and extra batteries, flashlights and extra batteries, non-electric can opener, small fire extinguisher (ABC type), and paper items such as toilet paper and towelettes.

The kit should include soap, liquid detergent, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags and disinfectant.

Emergency numbers should be posted where all the family can see them, and family members should discuss plans for coping with emergencies.