Americares Readies for Tropical Storm Barry

Stamford, Conn. – July 11, 2019 – With Tropical Storm Barry building strength as it heads toward the Gulf Coast—and up to 20 inches of rain forecast for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi—Americares emergency response experts are readying for what could be the first U.S. hurricane of the season.

Americares emergency teams are on stand-by, ready to ship medicines and relief supplies and deploy to hard-hit areas, if needed. Americares relief workers have contacted more than 20 partner clinics in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas in the path of the storm, with offers of assistance. The health-focused relief and development organization is also prepared to provide support to health clinics damaged in the storm.

“Tropical Storm Barry is on track to make a direct hit to New Orleans and bring torrential rain and flooding to the southern United States in the coming days,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Our response team is ready to meet the immediate health needs in affected communities.”

The National Hurricane Center reports Barry is moving slowly across the Gulf of Mexico and could be a hurricane when it makes landfall on the Louisiana coast late Friday or early Saturday. New Orleans, which is already underwater from a series of thunderstorms, is bracing for up to 20 inches of rain.

Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization has a long history of responding to emergencies in the U.S., including hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Michael.

Americares responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.

Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the storm. To make a donation, please go to sandbox.americares.org/worldwide