Central Texas Standing By to Help Isaac Evacuees

Central Texas remains ready to help out with potential evacuees, as Hurricane Isaac – which was just downgraded to a tropical storm – moves slowly through southern Louisiana.

It’s not yet clear if the Red Cross will need to provide storm shelter in Austin. "We have shelters identified and teams of volunteers prepared to manage those shelters, though we haven’t seen those evacuees yet,” American Red Cross Central Texas Region Spokesperson Sara Kennedy says.

Kennedy adds that in Dallas, Red Cross shelters are now open.  But she says they haven’t seen very many evacuees so far.

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell says in a statement that the City of Austin will provide help too, should it be needed.  

“The City has plans in place for an emergency like this,” said the mayor. “We review the plans regularly to ensure we are prepared for any scenario.”

A spokesperson from his office says that as of early this afternoon, it appears that no help is needed and no emergency plans will be activated.

Mayor Leffingwell also issued an appeal for donations to the Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund.