Red Cross volunteers head to Gulf Coast

Published 11:35 pm Thursday, August 28, 2008

EVERETT — Four Snohomish County Red Cross volunteers have packed their bags and are heading to the Gulf Coast as people prepare for the landfall of the Gustav storm.

Forecasters predict there’s a chance the storm could hit New Orleans on Monday or Tuesday.

The volunteer team is joining a national response effort to make sure Louisiana is ready if the strong storm hits the region.

“They will join a corps of Red Cross workers from across the country trained and ready to respond to national disasters wherever they might occur,” said Kris Krischano, a local Red Cross spokesman.

Steve Taylor of Gold Bar, Frank Grigas of Everett and Karen French of Marysville planned to fly to Baton Rouge, La., on Thursday. Edmonds resident Bob Leighton flew to Houston on Wednesday.

The team plans to help with transportation, emergency communications and shelter assistance, Krischano said.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast.

For more information or to make a donation, go to snohomishcounty.redcross.org.