Courtesy of accuweather.com

From Salvation Army USA:

As of 8 a.m. this morning, Tropical Storm Isaac was picking up strength in the Gulf of Mexico and moving about 180 miles west of Fort Myers, FL towards Louisiana and Alabama.

The storm, which tore through the Florida Keys on Saturday and Sunday, is expected to hit as a Category 2 hurricane somewhere along the stretch west of New Orleans, the same area Hurricane Katrina struck seven years ago on Wednesday.

6,000 Florida residents are without power while many are suffering flooding in low-lying areas. The Salvation Army continues to serve meals and offer emotional and spiritual care to storm survivors in downtown Tampa and surrounding areas. Additionally, we are also preparing to open a disaster warehouse in Panama City.

Yesterday, Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll toured The Salvation Army of Florida disaster warehouse in Tampa where she received an in-depth look at our disaster response operations from where mobile kitchens, equipment and supplies are dispatched.

Additionally, The Salvation Army is preparing to provide clean-up and hygiene kits, water, shower units and first-aid supplies.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by this disaster to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).  Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text* messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.”   Checks may be made out to:
The Salvation Army Disaster Relief
PO BOX 1959
Atlanta, GA 30301.  Please designate “2012 Hurricane Relief” on all checks.
At this point, in-kind donations are not being accepted.  Used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during an incident.  However, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

For all disaster-related updates, please visit The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services page at: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.