With a hurricane watch issued from La Cruz, Mexico to the south end of Baffin Bay, Texas, the Central Louisiana Red Cross employees and Disaster Service volunteers are preparing for a potential response. 

According to the National Weather Center, Tropical Storm Alex is steadily strengthening and is expected to become a hurricane as early as Tuesday morning, making landfall by Thursday.  Although the storm is not expected to impact Louisiana, the Central Louisiana Red Cross is gearing up for the possibility of responding locally or deploying volunteers to the impacted area. 

“We have a critical need for trained shelter volunteers and for volunteers to work in our office to provide staffing support, man the call center, and to work with Information Technology,” said Leann Murphy, CEO of the Central Louisiana Red Cross.  “Whatever your skills and expertise, there’s a place for you with the Red Cross and now is the time to get trained and identified.”

An Emergency Shelter Operations Class for registered volunteers, new teams or teams needing an update, and any individual interested in becoming a Red Cross shelter volunteer will be held at the Red Cross office at 425 Bolton Avenue on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, June 30 – 8am to 12pm

Wednesday, June 30 – 1pm to 5pm

Thursday, July 1 – 5pm to 9pm

Pre-registration is required; call the Red Cross at 318-442-6621 or email learn@cenlaredcross.org.  Hurricane preparedness information can be also be found on the Red Cross website at www.cenlaredcross.org or by calling the Red Cross office at 318-442-6621.  Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed!

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission. Each year, the Central Louisiana Red Cross serves thousands of Central Louisianans through disaster response, life-saving training, and support for our Armed Services. You may make a donation or volunteer by calling 318 442-6621 or online at www.CenlaRedCross.org.