Red Cross gets ready as Ida aims for the Gulf Coast

November 9, 6:18 PMRed Cross ExaminerChuck Gibson

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The American Red Cross is opening shelters in preparation for Tropical Storm Ida. 

Shelters are being opened in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi as the Red Cross continues making preparations for Ida to make landfall on the Gulf Coast.

The Red Cross is reminding residents along the coast to follow warnings from local officials and pay special heed to any evacuation orders that may be issued.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. The governors in Louisiana and Florida have declared a state of emergency. Though no longer a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ida still carries 70 mph winds.  Ida is expected to bring heavy rain and is projected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday morning before turning east.

“Anyone in the path of the storm should make the necessary preparations right away and also register themselves on Safe and Well if they plan on evacuating,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross.  “Ida is predicted to drop up to six inches of rain along the Gulf Coast.”

The Red Cross Safe and Well web siteis an online tool used for those affected by disaster to register their status. If they don’t have internet access, people can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The site allows family members to search for messages posted by other family members who registered.

The Red Cross encourages all people who could be impacted by the storm to take the necessary steps to be prepared.  If you’ll need to stay in a Red Cross shelter, please bring necessary clothing, medicine, hygiene and special needs to make your family safe and comfortable.