Aug 29, 2008 10:03 pm US/Central
Residents, Red Cross Brace For Hurricane Gustav
Gulf Coast Prepares For Hurricane's Landfall Near Anniversary Of Hurricane Katrina
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
As Hurricane Gustav swirls toward the Gulf Coast on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, all eyes are once again on New Orleans.
As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, this latest storm is conjuring up memories of Katrina's deadly path.
Hurricane Katrina survivor Dorothy Neal is safe and sound in her Chicago apartment, but her thoughts and prayers are with her daughter and everyone else living along the Gulf Coast who are preparing to do battle with Mother Nature yet again as Gustav sets its sites on the area.
"I just can't believe this is going to happen again," Neal said.
Neal says as she watches Gustav get stronger, it's impossible not to think about Katrina and all the death and devastation left behind after the storm.
She says although the people of New Orleans are known for their resilient spirit, she believes taking another hit similar to Katrina might just be too much for some.
"All you can say is 'oh my God, here it goes again. Wow, I cannot handle this.' And I know it's going to be so devastating," Neal said.
Hurricane Katrina survivors are not the only ones keeping a close eye on Gustav. The American Red Cross is also keeping a close eye on the situation to see how it can best assist once Gustav makes landfall. Here in Chicago, volunteers are taking calls from people asking for help.
Volunteers have also already been deployed to the Gulf Coast.
"They will be setting up shelters. They'll be there to support people who need to talk to someone," said Martha Carlos of the American Red Cross. "They'll be feeding them, and making sure their immediate needs are met."
Carlos says the American Red Cross also has enough supplies in place to take care of half a million people.
Dorothy Neal says she hopes that and all the lessons learned from Katrina will be enough, but in the meantime she's counting on a higher power to help.
"Lord, you know you hear my prayer, Father. Do not let this happen again," Neal said.
The American Red Cross anticipates it will need to send between 2,000 and 3,000 volunteers to help once Gustav makes landfall. The group is also monitoring tropical storm Hanna in case it makes landfall as well.
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