TX Emergency Officials Prep For Isaac - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

Federal emergency officials in Texas have begun staging supplies in Louisiana in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac.

Forecasters say Isaac, which could strengthen into a hurricane, targeted a broad swath of the Gulf Coast on Monday.

The regional Federal Emergency Management Agency office in Denton has set up an operations center in Baton Rouge, La. Emergency response items such as meals, water, cots, blankets and hygiene kits have been placed at various points in Louisiana.

The American Red Cross in North Texas has activated its emergency command center in Dallas. Volunteers are being coordinated in case Red Cross shelters are opened in East Texas to house potential evacuees from Louisiana and elsewhere.

Executive Director of Red Cross in Wichita Falls Katrina Farmer said they've moved staff to florida, opened a command center in dallas. haven't gotten anything yet that they're gathering supplies. They're planning to open shelters for Louisiana hurricane victims in East Texas such as Tyler and Longview.

The Red Cross has a free Hurricane App for mobile devices which puts real time information on hurricane safety at their fingertips. The app features information on Red Cross shelters and a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm. The one-touch "I'm Safe" button lets someone use social media outlets to tell family and friends they are okay.

People across the country planning to travel to areas that could get hit with the storm can use the app to receive weather alerts.

The Hurricane App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

This is a major storm that will affect a wide area. People who want to help can call, click or text to make a donation today. You can make a donation by visiting the Red Cross website, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.