Tractor-trailers loaded with relief supplies have already left Salt Lake City headed toward the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Gustav is expected to make landfall Monday. By that time experts are forecasting Gustav will reach a Category 3 status or possibly even a Category 5 status.
Trucks loaded with food, hygiene kits and cleaning kits left for the Gulf Coast yesterday and today. More trucks are being loaded and will leave tomorrow, and additional supplies stored at Church aid facilities in Louisiana and Texas are also being made available (Fact sheet updated 1 September).
Church members in the Gulf Coast are preparing to mobilize to help in the cleanup efforts if necessary. Full-time missionaries serving in coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana are also on alert for evacuation to safer areas Full-time missionaries serving in coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana are also on alert for evacuation to safer areas.
The Church is continuing to monitor the situation and will be posting regular updates on the ProvidentLiving.org Web site. Additional facts about Church preparations are also available.
As a tropical storm, Gustav caused widespread damage in Haiti and the Dominican Republic earlier this week. Local Church leaders in those countries are working with civil disaster-response officials to help residents recover from the devastation. To expedite the response effort, Church leaders have purchased food, water, blankets and other emergency supplies in-country and are working with officials to distribute them to those in need.
Gustav is by no means the first hurricane the Church has responded to. For instance, the Church provided 200 semi-truck loads of aid and 42,000 man-days of labor in response to Hurricane Katrina. The Church humanitarian aid system is experienced and well equipped to respond to a variety of disasters, including hurricanes.