Austin Responds to Gustav

The governor's office and Texas Senate candidate Rick Noreiga have each already launched hurricane pages loaded with news and resources. And we are regularly checking NOAA and weather.com for the latest updates.

Locally, the Red Cross, AISD, and the city have opened up the Delco Center and LBJ High School to receive Gustav evacuees in need of shelter. Over 90 folks are already there.

These facilities are only for those who require shelter. The Austin Convention Center downtown has set up operations to accept special medical needs evacuees, only. All other evacuees should only go to Delco or LBJ. For local emergency shelter info, check the city's Emergency Conditions Info Page or call the Austin Hurricane Information Hotline (think 311 on steroids) 974-1110.

Our friend Abe Louise Young reports, "If you are interested in becoming a Central Texas Red Cross Volunteer, you must complete an online application, go through a background check, and go to a training in order to volunteer with the Red Cross. If you are already registered as a Red Cross volunteer, call 512/939-1225 to be placed. A more expeditious way to assist evacuees is grassroots: if you have extra rooms, air mattresses, food, and medicines in your home, make ready to travel to the Gulf Coast to assist in the aftermath, or to provide shelter to evacuees here in Austin. We are all family."

Also, donations are being accepted through Texas Responds. Click for specific drop spots.

If you, your organization, your employer, or any group you know is establishing a hurricane relief resource, please share that information with us. Email me at: xmess@austinchronicle.com and please put the word HURRICANE first in the subject header. As we did during Katrina's aftermath, we will post this information as it comes in.