The American Red Cross is stepping up the plate. Volunteers from across the country are already on their way down to help:

- New Mexico has sent disaster teams.

- Indiana’s Task Force One has been activated.

- Connecticut Red Cross chapters are sending crews and trucks.

- Texas Gov. Rick Perry has sent Texas’ 90-member urban search and rescue team to Louisiana.

- Utahns and Kansans on the way.

Although it is not (yet) possible to earmark funds to victims of Katrina, donations can be made to the ARC’s National Disaster Relief Fund over the web, by phone at 800-435-7669, and through the mail at ARC, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Another private relief group, Katrina Relief Effort, is accepting donations sent to 3511 Highway 31W White House, Tennessee 37188.

Send tips and trackbacks and I will update the post with info on other worthwhile charities and relief drives.

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Kudos to the corporations who are providing assistance:

- At the request of the Red Cross and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Anheuser-Busch is shipping 12,500 cases of drinking water (300,000 cans) to relief agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi.

- Office Depot has pledged to contribute $1 million to the American Red
Cross for the relief of persons affected by Hurricane Katrina.

- Entergy Texas is sending 170 linemen, support staff and contractors to help with power outages.

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Contrary to the usual Bush-deranged kvetching, the president is on the job:

With forecasters warning of a category five storm, the president made sure the federal response would not be delayed by already declaring emergencies in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama just hours after a similar declaration for Louisiana. Such declarations make federal aid available to assist with disaster relief, but they are rarely made before a storm even hits.

Working from his Texas ranch, Bush participated via videoconference in a large meeting of federal, state and local disaster management officials preparing for the storm’s onslaught. Separately, he spoke by phone with the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

“We will do everything in our power to help the people and the communities affected by this storm,” the president said.

Winds reaching 175 mph and a potentially devastating storm surge were feared when Hurricane Katrina reached land early Monday. The 485,000 residents of New Orleans were ordered to evacuate the city.

In Washington, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was coordinating relief efforts sending water, food and other supplies to staging centers in the Southeast. FEMA was moving supplies from logistics centers in Atlanta and Denton, Texas, to areas closer to where authorities believe the storm will create a need, spokeswoman Nicol Andrews said.

“It’s a very dangerous situation at this point,” FEMA spokeswoman Nicol Andrews said. “We’re ready and awaiting landfall.”

Update:

Catholic Charities is pitching in. (Hat tip: Citizen Journal)

Ham radio is ready.

Blogger Bill Hennessy has an offer:

Perhaps we fortunate souls in the rest of the country should begin a ring of volunteers willing to put up a displaced person or family until they can get back on their feet. I’m sure the government will help relocate folks. While St. Louis isn’t exactly Louisianna’s backyard, our door is open to such a family in need.

If anyone else in reasonable proximity to New Orleans would like to extend such an offer, please e-mail me at mail@billhennessy.com. I can fire up a website to coordinate these private shelters in 24 hours, but only if there’s interest.

8/30 11pm EDT update:

Chuck Simmins is keeping track of corporate donors.

Hugh Hewitt has a list of church aid groups.

KatrinaHelp has comprehensive links.

Instapundit has a heap of excellent links.

8/31 update: See Katrina: Getting Things Done.

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