Red Cross and Florida Prepare as Tropical Storm Isaias Approaches Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Isaias formed on Wednesday in warm waters off eastern Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, according to reporting by Mongabay and the Associated Press. The storm is expected to move toward the United States Gulf Coast later in the week. Mongabay and the Associated Press added that the rapidly strengthening storm was on track to tie or break a 121-year-old record. [2]

Humanitarian organizations are actively preparing response efforts across the region. The American Red Cross and Yahoo reported that Red Cross teams are getting ready to assist communities in the path of the storm. Direct Relief reported that it has staged emergency aid supplies at health facilities located along the threat area on the Gulf Coast. [1][5][7]

State authorities in Florida have initiated emergency measures in response to the approaching weather system. The Pensacola News Journal reported that a state of emergency was declared in Florida. WCTV reported that Florida activated its state Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 to coordinate emergency operations. [3][4]

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton to provide disaster relief and emergency assistance in the United States. The Gulf Coast includes the shoreline states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. [9][10]