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Local help sent to deal with Gustav
By Pantagraph staff
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BLOOMINGTON -- Nine volunteers and one staff member of the American Red Cross of the Heartland were deployed this weekend and this morning to Florida and Louisiana to assist those who will be affected by the hurricane, a press release said. This relief effort is the biggest Red Cross effort since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the statement said.

Meanwhile, The Illinois National Guard has activated two more helicopter crews to head to the Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Gustav.

State officials say the crews departed Decatur on Sunday for Louisiana. Included were Capt. James Smith of Heyworth, who was piloting one of the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and Warrant Officer Adam Humphreys of Normal.

The helicopters are expected to take part in evacuation efforts in Louisiana. Other missions include search and rescue and moving supplies.

More on Red Cross

Nationally the Red Cross has deployed more than 3,000 disaster relief volunteers and staff to the area.

Parker Lawlis of Normal arrived in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday. Lyn Willard from Roanoke left Sunday afternoon for the same city. Jim Kaiser of Bloomington left Sunday afternoon for Shreveport, La. Ken and Ruth Broquard of Fairbury will leave this morning for San Antonio, the statement said. Five local volunteers were already deployed to Jacksonville, Fla., Baton Rouge, La., and Alexandria, La.

Relief operations are also ready in Alabama and Mississippi, the statement said. The Red Cross has moved cots, blankets, comfort kits and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks into the area with more than 750,000 prepackaged meals and enough shelter supplies for 500,000 shelter residents for a six-day period.

State Farm teams mobilizing

A fleet of vans packed with equipment is heading to the Gulf Coast between 7 and 8 a.m. today from a disaster relief center located near State Farm Corporate, a spokesman said Sunday.

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Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

newmom wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:22 PM:

" I appreciate what the Red Cross and State Farm are doing for those in need right now. What I don't appreciate are silly comments about badges being waterproof. Thanks to all those volunteering to take care of those hit by Gustav. "

PC02grad wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:56 PM:

" My prayers are with these Red Cross Workers and the State Farm workers. They are going down to do good for these people. I just pray that they stay safe as well! "

truthiness wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:25 PM:

" I hope their ID badges are water proof. "
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