AmeriCorps and Senior Corps teams are responding in four Gulf Coast states as Hurricane Isaac moves toward the region.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is working in close coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Red Cross, and state and local authorities. CNCS is a part of a local, state, and nationally coordinated effort and has activated national service participants, at the request of local communities for deployment to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Agency officials join FEMA in encouraging all those living in Isaac's path to finalize preparations for severe weather, monitor news and weather reports, and closely follow the instructions of state and local officials.

"Hurricane Isaac is a dangerous storm, and anyone living in its path has to take precautions now,” said Kelly DeGraff, Director of Disaster Services for CNCS. “If you aren't sure what to do, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for steps you can take to better protect yourself and your family.”

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been deployed to the following locations:

• 58 AmeriCorps members serving with American Red Cross chapters across the country have deployed to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Their duties include sheltering, mass care, and emergency response vehicle operations.
• 73 AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members are operating shelters and assisting with 2-1-1 call centers in Jackson, MS, as well as Baton Rouge, Madisonville, Shreveport, and Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana.
• More than 60 RSVP volunteers are supporting evacuations, call centers, and efforts to assist disabled seniors in Hancock County, MS, and St. Charles Parish, LA.

Approximately 1,000 additional AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members are on standby and ready to deploy as needed.