** Please Distribute Widely**
VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR COMMON GROUND RELIEF EFFORTS IN EASTERN TEXAS AND SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
http://www.commongroundrelief.org
On Saturday, Rita will hit the coast as a major hurricane (over Category 3 strength) bringing damaging wind and storm surge. In addition, the forecast track is currently indicating Rita may stall over Texas creating the possibility of 25 INCHES of rain in the storm impact area. New Orleans may expect 3-5 inches of rain from the storm impact and elevated water levels due to storm surge. Rivers and creeks will flood and additional levees may fail, especially if a long-term, flooding rain event transpires.
WE NEED people, trucks, vans, RVs, flat bottom boats, boat motors, life-preservers, foul-weather gear, ponchos, emergency flashing lights, emergency medical teams, first responders, and other emergency relief equipment en-route to this area IMMEDIATELY.
If the current Federal relief system could not handle Katrina, it is unreasonable to expect they can handle more damage to the areas impacted from Katrina AND additional impact areas from Rita. Flooding rains will expand the relief need and cause additional difficulty for emergency operations.
Relief volunteers should expect to work in challenging conditions, possibly alongside military and law enforcement personnel. Please bring IDs and any credentials you may have.
One relief station will be created in Algiers and another outside the city. If you are coming in BEFORE the storm makes landfall on Saturday morning, we will direct you to an alternative safe location.
Please call Common Ground at 504-368-6897 to coordinate your arrival location. Medical personnel may contact the Common Ground clinic at 504-361-9659 to coordinate your arrival and determine response needs.
Remember: Common Ground is a community-based, mutual aid relief group working in solidarity with people in these affected areas. Please leave political discussion aside. You are coming to serve the community.
Common Ground Relief www.commongroundrelief.org P.O. Box 3216 Gretna, LA 70034 phone 504-368-6897
Common Ground Clinic 1401 Teche Street Algiers, LA 70014 phone 504-361-9659