The American Red Cross is preparing a large response effort as Hurricane Harvey bears down on Texas and Louisiana. 

“As this hurricane strengthens, so does the threat to people in its path. This has the potential to become a very dangerous storm, and the region could see life-threatening flooding as it moves through,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. 

The Red Cross is mobilizing trained Red Cross disaster relief workers to support this response effort, and has more than 17 shelters ready to open and support thousands of people if needed. Trailers full of shelter and relief supplies have been pre-positioned including cots, blankets, comfort and cleaning supplies. More than 30 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are activated with about 20 more on alert. The Red Cross is also working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners in both Texas and Louisiana to coordinate potential response efforts. 

Locally, 17 volunteers from the Western and Central New York Region are asisting in the relief effort: 

Finger Lakes Chapter: 

Judy Coleman - Corning 

Gary DeWitt - Ontario 

Lorraine Morris - Bath 

Greater Rochester Chapter: 

Joyce Alexander - Rochester 

Diana McLaughlin - Rochester

Sarah Perkins - Pittsford 

Mark Sennett - Fairport 

Sarah Sennett – Fairport 

Southern Tier Chapter: 

Lee Campfield – Apalachin

Nancy Hall - Trumansburg 

Chuck Haupt - Vestal

Rachel Kieltyka – Johnson City 

Bill Spangenburg – Vestal 

Western New York Chapter: 

Ron Chwojdak – Silver Creek 

Laurie Hagen – West Seneca 

Joan Priebe – Depew 

Diane Sargent – Lockport 

HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross works 24/7 to be ready to respond to disasters such as hurricanes. Even before the first raindrop fell in Texas and Louisiana, the Red Cross was getting ready. Please donate to the Red Cross to help. Visit http://redcross.org call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.