Red Cross Making Preparations as Tropical Storm Ida Heads toward Gulf Coast
WASHINGTON, November 9, 2009 – The American Red Cross is preparing for Tropical Storm Ida to make landfall along the Gulf Coast, opening shelters in four states.
The Red Cross is opening shelters in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Residents in those states should heed the warnings of local officials, especially if evacuation orders are issued.
Although recently downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ida is packing 70 mph winds and heavy rain and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday morning and then turn toward the east. Tropical storm warnings are issued from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and governors in Louisiana and Florida have declared states of emergency.
“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 also is urging people who may be impacted by the storm to take the necessary steps to get ready.
