In response to a request from the state of Texas, the City of Dallas is making preparations to transform the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center into a "mega shelter" where it will house up to 5,000 evacuees from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Rocky Vaz, director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), says in a statement that the city has received a formal request from the State and hopes to have the Convention Center ready to take in 5,000 Gulf Coast residents by the morning of Tuesday August 29.

The shelter will be in the Center’s parking garage level and will not affect events or shows currently booked.

"We have been advised by the state to be prepared for up to 5,000 evacuees, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to accommodate our fellow Texans who may need assistance," Vaz says.

Many City departments, Red Cross, Dallas County, Parkland Hospital, the Salvation Army, Children’s Hospital, and numerous volunteer agencies and organizations are now working out the logistics to have the shelter up and running and ready to take in guests.

The city has now opened Shelter #3 at Samuel Grand Recreation Center, 6200 E. Grand Ave.

Currently, the shelter at Walnut Hill Recreation Center is at full capacity with 290 guests and the Tommie Allen Recreation Center’s shelter has 123 guests. The City plans for those evacuees to remain at the Centers for the time being.

For people interested in donating, Dallas County VOAD member Trusted World will accept new underwear, new socks, new warmups for men, women, children and infants, toiletries/hygiene products, baby formula and baby wipes, bottles, diapers and the Graco Pac n’ Plays for babies to sleep in.

Drop off is at 15660 N. Dallas Parkway, just north of Arapaho on the north side of the Parkway. Follow the signs to drop off donations. The donations center will open daily from 3 to 8 p.m. daily.