C. Oregon volunteers on hurricane-hit Gulf Coast

The Louisiana Red Cross has requested help from across the country as Hurricane Isaac moved closer to land Tuesday night. Several Central Oregonians are on the ground in three Gulf Coast states prepared to stay as long needed.

The Bend-based Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross has sent four volunteers and could be sending more after the storm makes landfall.

“All of them are excited to be there and to helping our clients and using the training that they’ve gone through,” Karen Parmelee, a readiness specialist with the Red Cross. said Tuesday.

As Isaac spun into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, The Bend Red Cross chapter received the request for help. Within 24 hours, they had a team headed for the Southeast.

The four arrived Tuesday and were awaiting orders, and for the storm to make landfall.

“When Isaac does hit, they already have volunteers, and they already have resources there and ready to go as soon as it’s safe for them to go in,” said Parmelee.

The four from Central Oregon will be helping in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Their assignments range from logistics for evacuations centers to mental health.

The team has been preparing for months for the mission ahead of them.

“They are ready to respond and don’t need as much training when they get there,” said Palmelee. “They can just hop into the job and do what they need to.”

As Isaac pushes ashore, the Red Cross says they will be waiting to see if any more volunteers will be needed from Central Oregon.

If you would like to help the Red Cross, you can make a $10 donation by texting the words “Red Cross” to 90999.