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SOUTHERN PINES — American Red Cross workers from across the nation are mobilizing and responding as Tropical Storm Isaac strengthens to a hurricane on its way up the Gulf.

Currently, 16 Disaster Action Team members from the Triangle Region, which includes the Moore County Chapter, have joined the more than 1500 American Red Cross Disaster Relief workers — the majority of which are volunteers — currently deployed in the Gulf Coast states in response to Isaac. Additional volunteers are on stand-by for deployment.

On Tuesday, emergency response vehicles (ERVs) from Raleigh and Johnston County deployed at 7 a.m. to join more than 150 ERVs activated from around the country to help, representing nearly one third of the Red Cross fleet.

Both ERVs departed from the Triangle Red Cross building located at 100 N. Peartree Lane in Raleigh. Volunteers Kathy Rhoderick, Alex Malpass and Christopher Thomas from Raleigh, and James Annis from Sanford, deployed with the vehicles. Additional volunteers deployed on Tuesday from the Red Cross Raleigh region are Marie McIntyre and Maurice Darden from Durham and Ron Flock from Southern Pines. Liz Meares from Southern Pines deployed Aug. 24 to assist in Florida in advance of the oncoming storm.

For more information, contact Cynthia Bradley at cynthia.bradley@redcross.org or 910-692-8571.

Isaac is estimated to become a Hurricane today. The Red Cross is preparing for what could be a large disaster response spanning multiple states, as Isaac is expected to cause widespread damage. The Red Cross will probably be responding across multiple states for the next several weeks.

Red Cross disaster workers are responding throughout the Gulf region, providing shelter and help in Florida and preparing to open evacuation shelters in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 28, the Red Cross:

• Deployed more than 2,400 disaster workers across the Gulf Coast to help with Red Cross efforts.

• Sheltered hundreds of people Sunday night in Florida. More than 800 people spent Monday night in Red Cross and community shelters after Isaac brought heavy rain, power outages and flooding. Overall, the Red Cross opened 52 shelters in 5 states.

• Put dozens of shelters on stand-by along the Gulf, where evacuations have already been ordered in some area. Shelters are likely to open in the area throughout the day.

• Sent mobile kitchens and truckloads of relief supplies to Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. More than 50 pre-positioned support trailers are ready with supplies.

• Activated more than 180 emergency response vehicles (ERVs) in those states and from around the country to help.

• Continued to help in Florida where flooding continues. Red Cross disaster workers will continue to help those affected by opening shelters, providing meals and distributing relief supplies like personal hygiene and clean-up items.

What people should do:

People who may be in the path of Isaac should stay informed about the storm and leave the area if authorities direct them to do so.

• If someone needs to find a shelter, they can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check their local television, radio and newspaper. The free Hurricane App features a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm. It can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

• The Red Cross Safe and Well website is a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies. To register, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). This site also connects with the Twitter and Facebook accounts of users.

• People should restock their disaster supplies, and fill their vehicle’s gas tank. They should also get ready to bring anything inside that can be picked up by the wind such as lawn furniture and bicycles. Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you don’t have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.

How you can help:

Tropical Storm Isaac is predicted to trigger a large and prolonged disaster response with major flooding across several states. People can call, click or text to donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Donors are also welcome to bring financial donations to the Moore County Chapter office at 115 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in Southern Pines. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.