As East Coast Braces for Hurricane Irene, AmeriCares is Ready to Respond

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With hurricane warnings posted throughout the east coast, AmeriCares has stocked crucial supplies should the need arise for an immediate emergency response in the United States. After cutting a path through the Caribbean, Hurricane Irene threatens to become the first major hurricane to strike the U.S. in three years. Experts predict a possible upgrade to category 4 by the time the storm reaches landfall late in the week. AmeriCares is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to respond to aid requests from our network of partner clinics and organizations. Just as disaster relief organizations like AmeriCares get ready for the hurricane season, families can do so as well, explained Christoph Gorder, senior vice president of global program operations. "Unlike earthquakes and tornadoes, we are able to prepare for hurricanes in advance," said Gorder. Get Hurricane preparedness tips from AmeriCares experts » Each year in anticipation of the hurricane danger, AmeriCares readies aid for immediate shipment to families devastated and displaced by these natural disasters. For more than 25 years, our emergency response team has delivered critical medicines and supplies to help victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and violent storms, including an ongoing response to Hurricane Katrina, as well as the spring 2011 tornado outbreak.