JONESVILLE — The flooding caused by the rains that accompanied Hurricane Gustav earlier this week displaced numerous people in Catahoula Parish.

Seven shelters have opened for residents who were forced to evacuate after more than 19 inches of rain caused flash flooding that encroached on their homes. The shelters are located in Sicily Island, Jonesville and Harrisonburg.

There are between 50 and 100 people in each shelter, Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Dewayn Littleton said.

If someone wants to bring drinking water for the people in the parish who do not have it, they can drop it off at the sheriff’s office in Harrisonburg, Littleton said.

“The Office of Emergency Preparedness officer is there, and she would know what to do with it,” Littleton said. “Once she says where it needs to go, we’ll be able to take it from there.”

Power has been restored to some areas, and some water systems are operational, but many are still without electrical or water service.

Jonesville Mayor Hiram Evans said the electrical and water services are working but the town is currently under a boil water notice.

“Any time the water pressure goes down to a trickle the town has to go to a boil water notice,” Evans said.

The health department will draw water samples today and take them to the state lab, and Evans said he expects that the town will get the all clear to drink their water again Saturday.

Until the boil water notice is lifted, water used for cooking, drinking or brushing your teeth should be boiled for at least five minutes before use.

In the initial response to the storm, the town’s efforts to restore utility lines were hampered by the fact that two of their bucket trucks were put out of commission, one when a hydraulic line broke and the other when the bucket got stuck in an extended position.

The town of Vidalia — which is a declared “sister city” with Jonesville — ultimately loaned them a truck, Evans said.

“This has been a learning experience for many,” Evans said. “It may have been a painful one for a lot of people, but it has been a learning experience,” he said.

Evans said the town has requested the governor to declare the town a disaster area so they can receive aid.

Despite the inconveniences caused by the storm, people have been understanding, he said.

“The people here have been more than patient,” Evans said.