Wanna Know Why It "Took So Long" to Help the Victims?

[MagicMtnDan]

Because the area affected (destroyed) by the hurricane Katrina is 90,000 SQUARE MILES! That's larger than the country of England (United Kingdom).
Hundreds of thousands of people across this vast area have been affected. Want to know why it "took so long" - because there's never been any disaster this size in the history of this country. How long do you think it takes to put together a response (people, equipment, supplies, materials, food, water, ice, housing, helicopters, National Guard, etc.) that is up to this gargantuan task?
Those of you complaining should think twice before bitching again. The local and state governments bear responsibility as well as the federal government. It would have taken a clarivoyant to know where the hurricane would do the most damage. The levees didn't break until Tuesday (not the day of the hurricane). It looked like New Orleans had escaped significant damage and it would have been so much better if the levees didn't break.
I'm proud of how the people and government of this country have responded. Sure it could have been better but the Super Bowl is now empty - everyone is out moved to a much better place.
God bless those people and this great country!
Happy Labor Day!

[essexjet]

Good post MMD. I'm watching fox now and its pretty impressive. I think 3-4 days for ALL thoughs resources is damn good.

[mirvin]

I don't care what you say Dan.......George Bush don't care about black people :hammerhea :hammerhea that's why it took so long.......
Also, didn't the levy break on Tuesday evening???? Meaning that by Monday night and Tuesday morning it looked as if Norlans had been spared. It wasn't until the flooding that the secondary disaster became appearant. That's why I don't understand all the whinning about "why did it take so long" :cool:
Oh wait....It looks like you already said that.....
mirvin :)

[Rexone]

Over the past week I'm been watching and absorbing all the info I can on this. Last Monday when the storm had passed N.O. and was inland the media was giving the impression that N.O. pretty much sidestepped the monster. The levys handn't even failed yet. Now that same media is bashing everyone (mostly feds) for not responding timely, wtf.
moving on... It is the "primary" responsibility for "local" and "state" governments to have disaster plans in place, tested and workable at least in theroy. Clearly neither of the above was prepared at all. NO and surrounding areas are flood prone (known fact). Levy's were designed for a cat 3 storm (known fact). Katrina was a cat 5 storm prior to landfall (known fact). Hmmmm.
So then the levy's breech and they start shipping folks to the Superdome. Had a plan been in place (which it should have been at a local / state level), that Superdome would have had adequate water stocks and basic food stocks as part of an ongoing flood / evacuation location plan (not necessarily just intended for this storm but a normal plan in place). Fact is nothing was in place and they had no plan, no food, no water, no nothing. They just started dropping folks off there as a last resort cause it was the only non-flooded location, no plan beyond that to care for them, no means of support thought about in advance, (total failure of local gov IMO).
So now everyone yells at the feds for not being more responsive. Hellooooo...where was the city and state disaster plans. While I do feel the feds probably could have been more responsive in the food and water dept at the conv center and the Superdome, it's the city and state that really dropped the ball bigtime and they should be taking most the media heat. It is their baby why those locations are now so focked up.
I realize this disaster is way way beyond N.O. city limits but I'm focusing on it because it is the media's focus in regards to bashing the fed response. That same media that Monday indicated that N.O. appeared to have dodged the bullit and probably had an influence on the feds response level as not too many were able to even get in there for a look initially.
It takes several days to gear up a massive response involving thousands of reserves (guys at home in regular lives with regular jobs), thousands of vehicles, food, water in large volumes, yada yada yada, and then drive all that crap across long distances in some cases to areas with limited access if any at all. Outside of the initial lack of air drops of critical stuff to the N.O. locations above I think they're doing a pretty good job under the circumstances given that neither the city of the state had any clue how to handle this (which they should have been at least somewhat prepared given the landscape and the advance warning of a cat 5 storm).
Once again the media jumps on anyone they can (the feds) to sell airtime and create hour long bashing sessions on air, ignoring most of the above because it doesn't make good news.

[MagicMtnDan]

I don't care what you say Dan.......George Bush don't care about black people :hammerhea :hammerhea that's why it took so long.......
mirvin :)
You've got to be joking otherwise you're as dumb as a box of rocks :hammerhea

[Windy]

Excellent post Dan!!!

[Poster X]

Over the past week I'm been watching and absorbing all the info I can on this. Last Monday when the storm had passed N.O. and was inland the media was giving the impression that N.O. pretty much sidestepped the monster. The levys handn't even failed yet. Now that same media is bashing everyone (mostly feds) for not responding timely, wtf.
moving on... It is the "primary" responsibility for "local" and "state" governments to have disaster plans in place, tested and workable at least in theroy. Clearly neither of the above was prepared at all. NO and surrounding areas are flood prone (known fact). Levy's were designed for a cat 3 storm (known fact). Katrina was a cat 5 storm prior to landfall (known fact). Hmmmm.
So then the levy's breech and they start shipping folks to the Superdome. Had a plan been in place (which it should have been at a local / state level), that Superdome would have had adequate water stocks and basic food stocks as part of an ongoing flood / evacuation location plan (not necessarily just intended for this storm but a normal plan in place). Fact is nothing was in place and they had no plan, no food, no water, no nothing. They just started dropping folks off there as a last resort cause it was the only non-flooded location, no plan beyond that to care for them, no means of support thought about in advance, (total failure of local gov IMO).
So now everyone yells at the feds for not being more responsive. Hellooooo...where was the city and state disaster plans. While I do feel the feds probably could have been more responsive in the food and water dept at the conv center and the Superdome, it's the city and state that really dropped the ball bigtime and they should be taking most the media heat. It is their baby why those locations are now so focked up.
I realize this disaster is way way beyond N.O. city limits but I'm focusing on it because it is the media's focus in regards to bashing the fed response. That same media that Monday indicated that N.O. appeared to have dodged the bullit and probably had an influence on the feds response level as not too many were able to even get in there for a look initially.
It takes several days to gear up a massive response involving thousands of reserves (guys at home in regular lives with regular jobs), thousands of vehicles, food, water in large volumes, yada yada yada, and then drive all that crap across long distances in some cases to areas with limited access if any at all. Outside of the initial lack of air drops of critical stuff to the N.O. locations above I think they're doing a pretty good job under the circumstances given that neither the city of the state had any clue how to handle this (which they should have been at least somewhat prepared given the landscape and the advance warning of a cat 5 storm).
Once again the media jumps on anyone they can (the feds) to sell airtime and create hour long bashing sessions on air, ignoring most of the above because it doesn't make good news.
Let's assume you are absolutely correct. What's their excuse for:
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Gulfport, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Mobile, Alabama

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

That is a good point Dan. It is a huge area. I think it is in our nature when something like this happens to wonder WTH just happened? and who's fault is it? Of course, it's no ones fault and everyones fault. Mother nature caused the hurricane and no one from the average joe, to the city council, to the state, to the federal government was prepared, and all are to blame for the loss of life. Responsibility for loss of property goes to nature, loss of life goes to the United States.

[Seasday]

Great post Dan. Hey isn't the "holier than thou" mayor a person of color? If he would have fulfilled his post as Gulliani did on 9-11 we probably wouldn't even be having this discussion. Rudy didn't even know an attach was coming and he responded 1000 times better with very little national assistance. In the early day anyway.
The problem is that Bush is the only "white boy" they can find to lay blame on. Bush does not hate, dislike or have less caring for any racial group but becuase the "man" in charge was black they just keep going up the ladder until a white person can be found to blame. You can bet your ass if the mayor was white that poor SOB would be floating somewhere by now but because he is black he is absolved of all responsibility and "W" catches the shiat. I am just sick to death of hearing this BS!

[Poster X]

Great post Dan. Hey isn't the "holier than thou" mayor a person of color? If he would have fulfilled his post as Gulliani did on 9-11 we probably wouldn't even be having this discussion. Rudy didn't even know an attach was coming and he responded 1000 times better with very little national assistance. In the early day anyway.
The problem is that Bush is the only "white boy" they can find to lay blame on. Bush does not hate, dislike or have less caring for any racial group but becuase the "man" in charge was black they just keep going up the ladder until a white person can be found to blame. You can bet your ass if the mayor was white that poor SOB would be floating somewhere by now but because he is black he is absolved of all responsibility and "W" catches the shiat. I am just sick to death of hearing this BS!
You are too ignorant too even respond to. This post is more than you deserved.

[crf311]

The People Of St.bernard Parish,just East Of N.o., Still Have Not Gotten One Once Of Help. They Are Cut Off To The Outside World. Please If You Know Anyone Who Can Help Them Please Call. All The Help Is Going To N.o. And Nowhere Else. St.bernard Is A Town With 60,000 People. 10,000 Are Dead Or Missing.

[Rexone]

Let's assume you are absolutely correct. What's their excuse for:
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Gulfport, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Mobile, Alabama
I have no idea what their excuse is or if they're making an excuse. It may be they just don't have enough resources in place yet. Local and state govs. Probably similar situation to N.O. just a guess. Not bashing them, just feel they were all very unprepared at a state and local level to handle what was eventually inevitable in a flood prone hurricane prone area. In an area of 90k square miles there's no way in hell the fed effort can do it all overnight when there was no local plan in place anywhere which is what it seems is the case. It's a trajedy for sure but not anyone's fault more than the next (gov) IMO.

[Morg]

Before this all happened, GW comunicated to the gov. & suggested they declare a disaster area to start getting federal aid set up. Secondly, The president is not the one to call for the State's national guard, that would be the state's gov. & or the mayor.
I really don't understand how any reasonable person could blame the president when this was clearly a failure on the local governments fault.
They had been told & were fully aware that it was not a matter of if but when is a hurricane going to hit & at the very least flood the city. With this knowledge it would appear they had absolutly no plan. Not even how to comunicate.
The levy commitee had used funds for purchase of a privat jet & a casino. WTF. How in the hell can you blame the president when the commitee was pulling this crap. And further more the section of levy that failed was just re-done in the past year. It was the newest section.
And another point on the planning, Don't you think that if they had a disaster plan, To get that plan they had a meeting & during that meeting someone in the room would suggest they have food, water & security at the shelter?? Maybe even someone with a little knowledge about plumbing who might bring up the point that without power to pump out the sewage it will back up? I mean the first cavemen figured out a long time ago that shit flows down hill.

[boater72]

[QUOTE=Morg]
The levy commitee had used funds for purchase of a privat jet & a casino. WTF.
Would like to see the facts to back this part of the post?

[Morg]

I would also like to hear more about it. Heard it on Fox this morning.

[STONE33]

I don't care what you say Dan.......George Bush don't care about black people :hammerhea :hammerhea that's why it took so long.......
Also, didn't the levy break on Tuesday evening???? Meaning that by Monday night and Tuesday morning it looked as if Norlans had been spared. It wasn't until the flooding that the secondary disaster became appearant. That's why I don't understand all the whinning about "why did it take so long" :cool:
Oh wait....It looks like you already said that.....
mirvin :)
BULLSHIT!!!!!!! :devil: :devil:

[Poster X]

Before this all happened, GW comunicated to the gov. & suggested they declare a disaster area to start getting federal aid set up. Secondly, The president is not the one to call for the State's national guard, that would be the state's gov. & or the mayor.
I really don't understand how any reasonable person could blame the president when this was clearly a failure on the local governments fault.
They had been told & were fully aware that it was not a matter of if but when is a hurricane going to hit & at the very least flood the city. With this knowledge it would appear they had absolutly no plan. Not even how to comunicate.
The levy commitee had used funds for purchase of a privat jet & a casino. WTF. How in the hell can you blame the president when the commitee was pulling this crap. And further more the section of levy that failed was just re-done in the past year. It was the newest section.
And another point on the planning, Don't you think that if they had a disaster plan, To get that plan they had a meeting & during that meeting someone in the room would suggest they have food, water & security at the shelter?? Maybe even someone with a little knowledge about plumbing who might bring up the point that without power to pump out the sewage it will back up? I mean the first cavemen figured out a long time ago that shit flows down hill.
When George Bush declared it a Disaster area PRIOR to the hurricane hitting, that put the entire Gulf Coast under the jurisdiction of Homeland Security. That jack... is a fact. However, the Mayor of N.O. immediately ordered a mandatory evacuation when the US weather service determined N.O was in the path. Buses WERE available but a lot of people didn't leave. After the hurricane hit, the mayor immediately called for Marshall law. That's about the best he could have done.
South Louisiana has a very high poverty level. Many of these people live below the poverty level. That doesn't make them stupid, nor does it justify them dying. Evacuating an area that size is next to impossible. You just don't have time to go door to door demanding everyone get on a bus. In the South we have had so many dry runs regarding tornado's and hurricanes we have become anesthetized to them, much like many you are impervious to earthquakes. "Wolf" has been cryed so many times we just don't have confidence in the newsman. We hear it all the time. You can't blame them for hunkering down and riding it out. I myself have ridden out three hurricanes. It's actually very exciting and like most people I suffer from a serious case of "it couldn't happen to me."
It disturbs me greatly that the media can run a loop of six guys looting over and over and you can condemn an entire populace because of it? The mayor did what he could. FEMA was slow to react based on what Michael Brown himself was telling everyone prior to the hurricane hitting. His over confidence in his abilities and the abilities of FEMA helped to create a false sense of security. I'm sure there were plenty of people that didn't give a shit and just rode out the hurricane? I also believe there were tens of thousands that just couldn't get out. If 11 days isn't enough time for Homeland Security to round up some food and water and drop it from a helicopter, how can you blame a Mayor for not getting out over a million people in 2 days? There is bad in every peer group. I would think that even though you are apparently a large group of the "have's" on this website, many of the black "have not's" in New Orleans would have given any of you the shirt off their back in a time of crisis. Let's not forget that the Mayor also lost 70% of his police force after the hurricane. If you want to pick on someone. Pick on the chickenshit police force that shirked their duty and ran for the hills.
The state level probably could have done more? Louisiana has notoriously ran bad government. That doesn't take away from the fact that our national level intervention also failed the citizens of Lousiana, Mississippi and Alabama. No ones saying George Bush made the Hurricane and killed the people of the South. He's the man at the top and that's where blame get's placed. He did create Homeland Security and hand picked it's director. That makes him a little bit responsible for that director. Shit rolls downhill but it starts at the top. A good leader will displace blame. He'll look at what could have been done better, make the improvements and society will benefit. If the leader can't take responsibility, he is no leader.
Jumping off my podium and going to bed now. Be kind to New Orleans and the rest of the South. Give to a charity and take one less lap on the lake. A society is only as good as the sum total of it's weakest parts. These are the poor, the wretched, the people the Bill of Rights called for. They lived in a bad spot but that bad spot has provided you the majority of your imported goods and refineries for your fuel for generations. Not to mention New Orleans was a slice of heaven. If you never caught a Mardi Gras, you really missed out. There'll probably not be another. At least not the same.

[Morg]

When George Bush declared it a Disaster area PRIOR to the hurricane hitting, that put the entire Gulf Coast under the jurisdiction of Homeland Security. That jack... is a fact. However, the Mayor of N.O. immediately ordered a mandatory evacuation when the US weather service determined N.O was in the path. Buses WERE available but a lot of people didn't leave. After the hurricane hit, the mayor immediately called for Marshall law. That's about the best he could have done.
South Louisiana has a very high poverty level. Many of these people live below the poverty level. That doesn't make them stupid, nor does it justify them dying. Evacuating an area that size is next to impossible. You just don't have time to go door to door demanding everyone get on a bus. In the South we have had so many dry runs regarding tornado's and hurricanes we have become anesthetized to them, much like many you are impervious to earthquakes. "Wolf" has been cryed so many times we just don't have confidence in the newsman. We hear it all the time. You can't blame them for hunkering down and riding it out. I myself have ridden out three hurricanes. It's actually very exciting and like most people I suffer from a serious case of "it couldn't happen to me."
It disturbs me greatly that the media can run a loop of six guys looting over and over and you can condemn an entire populace because of it? The mayor did what he could. FEMA was slow to react based on what Michael Brown himself was telling everyone prior to the hurricane hitting. His over confidence in his abilities and the abilities of FEMA helped to create a false sense of security. I'm sure there were plenty of people that didn't give a shit and just rode out the hurricane? I also believe there were tens of thousands that just couldn't get out. If 11 days isn't enough time for Homeland Security to round up some food and water and drop it from a helicopter, how can you blame a Mayor for not getting out over a million people in 2 days? There is bad in every peer group. I would think that even though you are apparently a large group of the "have's" on this website, many of the black "have not's" in New Orleans would have given any of you the shirt off their back in a time of crisis. Let's not forget that the Mayor also lost 70% of his police force after the hurricane. If you want to pick on someone. Pick on the chickenshit police force that shirked their duty and ran for the hills.
The state level probably could have done more? Louisiana has notoriously ran bad government. That doesn't take away from the fact that our national level intervention also failed the citizens of Lousiana, Mississippi and Alabama. No ones saying George Bush made the Hurricane and killed the people of the South. He's the man at the top and that's where blame get's placed. He did create Homeland Security and hand picked it's director. That makes him a little bit responsible for that director. Shit rolls downhill but it starts at the top. A good leader will displace blame. He'll look at what could have been done better, make the improvements and society will benefit. If the leader can't take responsibility, he is no leader.
Jumping off my podium and going to bed now. Be kind to New Orleans and the rest of the South. Give to a charity and take one less lap on the lake. A society is only as good as the sum total of it's weakest parts. These are the poor, the wretched, the people the Bill of Rights called for. They lived in a bad spot but that bad spot has provided you the majority of your imported goods and refineries for your fuel for generations. Not to mention New Orleans was a slice of heaven. If you never caught a Mardi Gras, you really missed out. There'll probably not be another. At least not the same.
If in reading my post anyone got the impression that I was in anyway implying the following. Copied "That doesn't make them stupid, nor does it justify them dying." I assure you that I was in no way my intention & if my post reads that way I sincerely appolagize. To clarify I put the blame on the local governments. And I further do not blame the people for living in N.O. I blame the officials for not having a plan for the disaster everyone knew would happen someday.

[Roman 1]

South Louisiana has a very high poverty level. Many of these people live below the poverty level. That doesn't make them stupid, nor does it justify them dying.....I'm willing to bet that among the unfortunate there is a good share of stupid in that mix....
Evacuating an area that size is next to impossible. You can't blame them for hunkering down and riding it out.Why not?....knowing how vulnerable that city is I would evacuate everytime a cat 3 or better came to town! I myself have ridden out three hurricanes. It's actually very exciting and like most people I suffer from a serious case of "it couldn't happen to me." Stupid is as stupid does...(no offense)
The bus drivers weren't allowed into the city because of the criminal element. Buses were being overtaken by thugs sportin guns. The pussy cops you speak of were outnumberd and less armed. Those 6 guys you speak of must have been supercriminals to doesen handedly hijack a bus, scare off the cops, loot the city, shoot at rescue copters rape several women and prompt armed soldiers into the streets. :notam: Take a look at coastal Mississppi, no they didn't get flooded but they still got leveled! There was no soldier retake needed there!
I believe the criminal element saw this as an opportunity days before it hit and promptly went to work when the timing was right.
Those criminals (all six of them says X) are a good deal responsible for the reprocusions of failed bus arrivals, rescue attempts and supply deliveries.
My heart goes out to those who legitimately couldn't help themselves but the rest I'm afraid I can only sympathize for so far.
Dan Rex and Morg, great posts! --------->X, get real!
R! 1!

[bigq]

Found this on Drudge..
Louisiana disaster plan, pg 13, para 5 , dated 01/00
'The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/107buses.jpg
This is gona go down as the biggest screwup in local and national history. :frown:

[FHI-prez]

Found this on Drudge..
Louisiana disaster plan, pg 13, para 5 , dated 01/00
'The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/107buses.jpg
This is gona go down as the biggest screwup in local and national history. :frown:
Damn you took the words right out of my mouth. Actually some good posts in this thread :jawdrop: :D I agree with Rexone as well. I found it amazing the sea of school buses underwater. The speech the Mayor of NO gave before the storm hit was pretty grim. But apparently it was just a speech, the city of NO let the NO down, period. They should have had those school buses lined up at the Dome and first come first "get the F out". Stragglers will be left to loot and party it up in the flood.
I understand not everyone had the ability to leave. BUT I guarran freekin T you that if another cat 5 storm headed their way in a few years after this is all over, amazingly these people that said it was impossible to leave would find a way. Sure there would still be some that stay, but not NEAR as many. The state and local dropped the ball, so blame the feds, if that doesn't work, there's always the race card to play :mad:

[FHI-prez]

Not to mention that I saw a guy on the news complaining that his car was in "fo foots of wada! so's I cants be leavini no mo!" Ummm, maybe you should have left beffo dere was fo foots O' wada!! Dumbass! Of course it wasn't his fault. Must be that white president's fault. :D

[shueman]

Good stuff here....thanks Rexone....!!
It's easy to comment when your not there....what if it was you...are you prepared to handle such adversity...??
Cali is Earthquake country, just like the South/East is Hurricane country...this Natural Event has got me updating my preparedness/survival plans for the family...

[bigq]

I don't know about you , but this doesn't seem like a country that dislikes anyone that is not white and rich. Man those hate mongers PISS ME OFF!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Fast Facts
(As of 5:00 p.m., Sept 3)
* Red Cross Mass Care:
o Shelters – 356 American Red Cross shelters are open in 9 states: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri and Georgia, with many more on standby.
o Evacuees – More than 107,400 evacuees are being sheltered.
o Emergency Vehicles – 249 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are now in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, with additional ERVs en route to the affected area. The Red Cross is working to engage additional vehicles for food distribution to survivors.
o Relief Workers – Thousands of Red Cross staff and volunteers across the country and from every part of the organization are working around the clock to serve the public need. More than 4,200 Red Crossers have left their families to serve in affected areas already, and the Red Cross is moving more than 600 additional workers into affected areas every day.
o Feeding – The Red Cross is working closely with several partners, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the Adventists and Second Harvest to provide emergency food to survivors and responders. In coordination with the Southern Baptists, preparations are underway to serve nearly 500,000 hot meals each day.
Nearly 137,600 meals have been served in the last 24 hours.
o Houston Astrodome Shelter – The Red Cross is supporting government officials in the relocation and sheltering of more than 23,000 hurricane survivors traveling over 300 miles from New Orleans to Houston.
In Dallas-Ft. Worth and San Antonio, the Red Cross and local partners are working to find dozens of facilities in which thousands of evacuees will find a safe, clean and comfortable environment.
o Health & Preventative Care – The Red Cross is working with government and health services partners to develop health strategies and preventative measures to help the public and relief workers cope with the serious public health emergency.
Note: Media is encouraged to contact their local Red Cross chapter to learn how it is responding to the disaster.
* Reuniting Families:
The Red Cross, with support of the worldwide Red Cross Movement, has launched a Web site and hotline to help reunite loved ones.
o Online – Persons looking for loved ones can go to www.redcross.org and click on “Family Links Registry” to register yourself, a missing relative or view the existing list of registrants. Within the first 24 hours, more than 20,000 people had registered on the "Family Links" Web site.
o Hotline – Those who do not have Internet access should call toll-free 1-877-LOVED-1S (1-877-568-3317).
* How to Help:
Due to the generosity of the American people, the American Red Cross stands ready to meet the monumental challenge of helping to rebuild lives.
o Funds Received to Date – The American Red Cross estimates that, as of September 3, 2005, it has received $302 million in gifts and pledges for the hurricane relief effort.
o To Donate – Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter 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.
o To Volunteer – Individuals interested in volunteering for the American Red Cross should contact their local Red Cross chapter.
o To Learn More – The magnitude of this disaster is bringing together the experience, expertise and resources of many organizations and agencies to meet the unprecedented humanitarian needs of the hurricane survivors. To learn more about the coordination of efforts and additional resources, visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
* Get Prepared: It is now more important than ever that the public take steps to prepare themselves, their families, communities and workplaces for emergencies and disasters. The Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters annually, including wildfires, tornadoes and single family house fires, with some type of disaster striking every 8 minutes in the United States. Make a plan, build a kit, and get trained in first aid and CPR.
Important Notes
* Disaster Assistance: All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
* Situation Updates: This disaster relief operation is constantly changing. The Red Cross will update this document as often as feasible, but please note the date of last update when using facts or numbers in news stories.
* Shelter Numbers: Shelter numbers fluctuate based on their location and the time of day.
* Red Cross Mission: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
* About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new--the nearly one million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through almost 900 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.