As mandatory evacuations are issued in the Gulf Coast states, the American Red Cross is starting to receive evacuees in shelters throughout the Gulf Coast. The Red Cross has relief operations ready in four states: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
This is the largest Red Cross relief effort since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and in preparation the Red Cross has moved workers, cots, blankets, comfort kits, ready-to-eat meals and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks into the area. The first priority for the Red Cross during any disaster is to provide people with food, shelter and emotional support. Disaster workers are on the receiving end to make those who leave their homes as comfortable as possible in Red Cross shelters.
For information on supporting the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund fund and our response effort, please call Call 1-800-REDCROSS. 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. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. If you need immediate assistance from our fundraising department during this holiday weekend, please call 424-832-6171.
To view more photos of American Red Cross preparations ahead of Hurricane Gustav, please click here.
Tags: disaster relief, hurrican gustav, shelters
