By Tiffany Simmons
News 3 on Your Side
Hurricane Gustav may be out of sight, but not out of mind. The Auburn Opelika Tourism Bureau says the number of evacuees they received last week was the largest they've had since Hurricane Katrina more than three years ago.News 3 on Your Side
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Stumble It!John Wild of the Tourism Bureau says hotels quickly filled up in Auburn and Opelika from some of the evacuees so what did that do for the economy in Auburn?
"It's made a big impact...a big economic impact on our area," says Wild.
It's something they weren't expecting.
"Just right after a home football game, our season opener umm those fans left and usually it's a very quiet period."
That down time for them quickly changed when Gustav headed towards land.
"We got almost up to 89 % occupancy for the market for that Sunday," says Wild.
While the Red Cross provided shelter for evacuees; Wild says many people opted for the hotels.
"The majority of the people really can afford hotels,and the hotels do a good job of providing special rates during those time periods."
Forecasters are predicting that Hurricane Ike could possibly make landfall in the states sometime next week. Wild says they're prepared.
"For us really it's that maybe 2 days before people are about to be put out of their homes and then they'll make reservations and we're helping to find places if it gets to that point."
