In the wake of Hurricane Ida, Louisiana residents are facing widespread damage, power outages and sweltering heat.
Twenty-one volunteers from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are already deployed to New Orleans, staffing three mobile response vehicles with food and shelter resources, said Carrie Carlson-Guest, regional communications director for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region.
The volunteers are focused on sheltering residents and supporting evacuation centers. As the weather calms, they will transition to assisting traditional shelters.
"There's certainly more than enough work for everyone," Carlson-Guest said. "And we all work together to make sure that we can take care of people and really provide them some comfort before, during and after the storms."
In addition, Xcel Energy sent 200 contract workers to Louisiana through electric trade group mutual aid agreements.
Wondering how Minnesotans can help? Here are some ways:
Volunteer: Get trained to become a Red Cross volunteer. For those who can't travel, there are opportunities to help from home.
Donate blood: Many blood drives are canceled during disasters, but the need does not disappear. Those interested in donating blood can stop by the Minnesota State Fair north-end event center or make an appointment to give blood at another location.
Donate money: You can donate to the Red Cross online by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by designating the Red Cross as your charity of choice when making purchases using Amazon Smile.
You can also donate directly to organizations in Louisiana:
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana: In its 40-year history, the food bank has responded to dozens of disasters. The organization provides nonperishable food and has the capacity to make thousands of hot meals a day, according to its website.
Imagine Water Works: This grassroots organization has supported disaster preparedness and recovery work since 2012. Organizers are seeking relief funds for their Mutual Aid Response Network.
SBP: The nonprofit works with residents to rebuild after storms and was started by a couple who volunteered after Hurricane Katrina. Since 2006, they have rebuilt homes for 2,140 families with the help of more than 130,000 volunteers.
Carlson-Guest said the Red Cross is proud to work with other organizations, especially as disasters — from storms to wildfires — ravage different parts of the country.
"We know this is going to be a long haul for those people who are affected," she said, "and we are grateful just to be there and to be of assistance."
Staff writer Mike Hughlett contributed to this report.
