American Red Cross Positions Supplies, Personnel
The American Red Cross asked residents from Texas to Florida to prepare for Ike, warning that the storm could inflict "major havoc over a large area." The Red Cross is already working with state and federal officials to move nearly 800 people and pre-position supplies to areas in Ike's potential path, including New Orleans.
As of Monday morning, about 4,000 people remained in Red Cross shelters after evacuating prior to Hurricane Gustav and more than 600,000 had returned to homes without power. The Red Cross said it was providing an average of 400,000 meals per day, as well as snacks, cleanup kits, and more to returning residents, even as the agency also is providing assistance to East Coast residents affected by power outages and flooding from Tropical Storm Hanna.
The Red Cross said Gulf Coast residents in Ike's potential path should prepare in advance for an evacuation order, including building a disaster supplies kit, filling their car's gas tank, reviewing their evacuation plan, and making a plan for evacuating pets. FEMA says a disaster supply kit should contain ready-to-eat non-perishable canned goods, one gallon of water per person per day, a manual can opener, eating utensils, personal hygiene items, and a first aid kit.