American Red Cross Volunteers Head to Gulf Coast for Storm

Omaha Volunteers are preparing to help survivors of Tropical Storm Isaac

By Kandiss Crone

CREATED 9:35 PM

 Omaha, NE - Hours before Tropical Storm Isaac thrashes the Gulf Coast, American Red Cross volunteer Bill Dreyfus gets his supplies ready to help people when the storm moves in to Louisiana. "We'll be taking food out to a feeding station or to a place where people know to come to eat," Bill Dreyfus said.

The Omaha Red Cross is sending 23 people to help anyone who rode out the storm. John Rich volunteered when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans seven years ago. He says he's concerned about his friends and fellow volunteer fire fighters who may have to battle Isaac face to face. "I have friends that are worried, here we go again seven years later I'm gonna lose my home maybe lose family members, is the city gonna flood, are the levees gonna hold," John Rich said.

When Katrina hit, Rich says if is wasn't for the Red Cross, thousands of people would have been in dire need with no help. He's confident government agencies and charities will jump into action and better assist residents than when Katrina hit.

"I do think the state is better prepared now. They're not gonna take any more chances. Seven years ago they learned their lesson, be prepared, don't wait till the last minute," Rich said.