Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana on Sunday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm, lashing Louisiana and Mississippi with drenching rains, relentless winds and a massive storm surge. The American Red Cross is there, working sideby-side with our partners to provide shelter and comfort for people in need.

Many communities that are still recovering from the devastation of hurricanes Laura and Delta a year ago are now facing flooded homes yet again and another lengthy recovery effort. Experts point to climate change as being partially responsible for the rapid strengthening that Ida underwent before making landfall.

The Red Cross has more than 350 trained volunteers on the ground, 15 of those from the Kansas Oklahoma Region. One of those is Brittney Rochell, Kansas Oklahoma Region communications director.

“Red Cross is already on the ground, helping those affected by the storms and starting the property assessments,” said Rochell. “We know from past experience this response will be a marathon and not a sprint. I’m just grateful we’re here to help those like Mildred and her mother.”

Mildred Collins, from Slidell, drove to Lottie, Louisiana to pick up her 95-year-old mother Maud Smith so they could ride out the hurricane together. Mother and daughter came to the Red Cross Evacuation Center at FG Clark Activity Center - Southern University Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisana. Mildred said she wanted to make sure her mother was safe, so they decided to come to the center where the Red Cross provided her with a cot, blankets, comfort supplies and snacks. Mildred said they plan to go home after the storm passes but are so thankful to the Red Cross for providing a safe place to go. She said she has had such a pleasant time and appreciates the positivity of the Red Cross team members during this scary time.

Sunday night, more than 2,500 people, like Collins and her mother, sought refuge in some 60 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The number of people seeking shelter could increase in the coming days as power outages continue and people leave homes that are too damaged to stay in. know the full scope of the damage that Ida left behind. For the Red Cross, our work is just beginning. We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come.

Ida isn’t done yet. More serious flooding, damaging winds and dangerous storm surges will continue this week. Many areas previously under hurricane warnings remain under tropical storm warnings. As Ida heads northeast, states all the way to the mid-Atlantic region can expect heavy rain and possible flash flooding this week. People in those states should finalize their storm preparations now.

More emergency supplies will be moving into the region as the weather improves and roads are reopened. In the coming days, dozens of Red Cross emergency response vehicles will begin bringing food and relief supplies to people across the region.

The Red Cross also pre-positioned blood products ahead of the storm and stocked many of our hospitals in the areas potentially impacted to help ensure patients have continued access to lifesaving blood transfusions.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by Hurricane Ida by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting the word IDA to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

The Red Cross also urges individuals in unaffected areas of the country to make an appointment to give blood to ensure a sufficient blood supply remains available for patients. Schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.