LOCAL HURRICANE RELIEF

Susan Holmes, Director of the Wiregrass Association of the American Red Cross, says there are thousands of residents in the path of hurricane Isabel who`ve decided to brave the furious rapids of the storm, while others have rushed to seek refuge at designated shelters-- relief efforts put into action by the American Red Cross. "We have over 2,000 volunteers ready to go or are onsite and we are prepared to furnish residents with the basic needs, food, clothing, shelter, essential medication," says Holmes. Although the Wiregrass area will not be directly effected by hurricane Isabel, local volunteers are ready to aid those in the storms path. "We sent two volunteers out Tuesday afternoon with our Emergency Rescue Vehicle. They spent yesterday packing it with cleaning supplies, snacks and bottled water, and then we flew one volunteer to our national headquarters where she will be working at the call center," says Holmes. Officials also says there are even more volunteers prepared and ready to help. "If were not prepared ahead of time were no better off than those who are going through the destruction," says Holmes, we still have 15 volunteers that have their suitcases packed and if theyre needed theyre ready to go. Due to the shortage of national disaster relief funds, the Red Cross is hoping to get most volunteers and resources from cities close to the effected area. CRYSTAL WALKER - REPORTER WDHN -------------------tag------------ if youd like more information about hurricane isabel you can call 1-866-get-info and to donate funds to the disaster relief fund call 1-800-help-now.