ATLANTA -- Organizations in Georgia are planning ahead as they wait to learn more about Hurricane Irma.
The American Red Cross said Tuesday they’ve been planning for a week now for the potential catastrophic impacts of the storm.
Volunteers have already been coming in making those calls getting resources ready. They say it all comes down to preparation especially after seeing what played out in Texas with Harvey.
“It’s going to be everything from shelter workers, folks helping with the mass care efforts,” said Divina Mims Puckett.
Red Cross of Georgia said they sent 84 volunteers to Louisiana and Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey. Now they’re limiting volunteers due to Irma and the threat it could bring. They’re working to collaborate with the Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Disaster relief and local food banks.
“The Red Cross responds to 64,000 disasters both small and large every single year,” Puckett said. “We have warehouses strategically placed all over the united states that have relief supplies that can support 500,000 people.”
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As of Tuesday afternoon, it was hard to tell what the need will be for Hurricane Irma, but they’re in the process of determining what resources can be available in-state and what resources can be sent to areas that need assistance.
“We are currently working in close collaboration with our state and local authorities who are going to help us stage at least 20 shelters,” Puckett. “These are large capacity facilities that can hold at least 500 people.”
And they also have 342 response vehicles ready to respond depending on the impact.
While Irma’s path is uncertain right now, state officials and the Red Cross are urging people not to take any chances.
