Hurricane Season (Part 2)

Red Cross prepared for storms (The Shreveport Times, 15 Aug '06)

"BATON ROUGE -- The American Red Cross learned important lessons in dealing with storms last year that the organization's state director says should be avoided if a storm hits the state again.

"During Katrina, we maxed out" with 150,000 evacuees in Red Cross shelters around the country, Victor Howell told the Press Club of Baton Rouge Monday. "That was far and away the largest number every in Red Cross Shelters" and "far and away the largest single disaster response."

"This year, he said, across the U.S. the organization has invested $80 million in pre-positioning supplies -- cots, blankets and "comfort kits" containing personal hygiene necessities -- to take care of 500,000 people. A large number of meals also are stationed at numerous points and financial assistance -- usually about $200 per family for clothing and necessities -- stands ready."