Who? What? When? Where? Why? The volume of questions from evacuees only grows, yet the flow of information simply can’t keep up.

Up to this point, not only in Louisiana and on the coast but also here in the Miss-Lou, just keeping up with immediate needs has been overwhelming.

But as the situation begins to calm down, it’s time for a better flow of information, a better organization of aid and a master plan &045; not only to take care of the present but to look to the future.

We can take a lesson from two groups which are doing just that.

In our own backyard, Concordia Parish has organized a central command center to take care of the community’s needs. At the old Lorraine’s restaurant, stakeholders in the relief effort are meeting every day to take stock of the situation in the parish. Officials are trying to get a head count of how many evacuees are actually living in the parish. They are working to disseminate information smoothly.

Meanwhile, our state government has quickly tried to get a handle on the overwhelming catastrophe on the coast. Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday he has told each of his department heads that Katrina has redefined their jobs and focus for at least the next three years. He has asked for budget estimates, planning documents and detailed short-term and long-term plans, all due by close of business today.

Here in Natchez, we have had so many people &045; from volunteers to elected officials &045; working hard on relief efforts and on trying to figure out the impact on our area.

Now we also need one central team that meets daily to assess needs and look toward making a long-term plan.

That committee needs to include relief workers, city and county government representatives, department heads and economic development officials.

We got a good start on such meetings last week, but they need to continue, and the group needs to have a focus, a leader and an understanding of each person’s role and each agency’s responsibility.

Katrina took our community by surprise. Now it’s time to take control over the future.