Red Cross Prepared to Shelter Everyone Until Conditions Are Safe

Sept. 2, 2008 — Although what was once Hurricane Gustav has weakened to a tropical depression, the American Red Cross urges all evacuees to stay away from affected areas until authorities deem it safe to return.

The Red Cross currently has 343 shelters open in 10 states, housing a population of nearly 60,000 people. Its many workers are providing evacuees with food, shelter and emotional support, and are prepared to do so until it is safe for people to go home. Shelters will remain open as long as the need exists.

Gustav Relief Efforts Began Weeks Ahead

The Red Cross has been preparing for Hurricane Gustav for two weeks moving workers, cots, blankets, comfort kits, ready-to-eat meals and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks into the Gulf Coast. After Katrina, the Red Cross made an $80 million investment to pre-position supplies, purchase communication equipment and train disaster workers nationwide. Today, that investment is paying off.

This Red Cross relief effort is the largest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Red Cross has enough supplies for 500,000 shelter residents for a six-day period.

And there are more storms heading toward the United States. The Red Cross is now readying itself as a busy Atlantic Ocean brings tropical storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine.

Relief Efforts Cost $20 Million

To date, Hurricane Gustav relief efforts have cost the Red Cross $20 million. You can help people affected by thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, 11355 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025 or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

• We use this fund to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters who need our help.
• Donors can donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
• You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). Donations will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Safe and Well
The Safe and Well Web site allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being.

• For those without internet access, call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.
• Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

Tags: Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Gustav Red Cross assistance