How to Help

Helping Victims of Hurricane Katrina: Your Guide to Giving Wisely (Federal Trade Commission) (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/charity.htm)

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Americans are opening their hearts and wallets to help the affected communities in the Gulf Coast. The federal government is advising that the best way to provide immediate assistance is to donate money directly to established national relief organizations with the experience and means to deliver aid.

CNN: Hurricane Season

Federal Government

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities and trains first responders.

Hurricane Recovery: FirstGov.gov

The Federal Government's Portal, firstgov.gov, provides further information on missing persons. It also provides information for people in the Armed Services affected by the 2005 hurricanes.

U.S. Postal Service

This site provides information interruptions to mail service in areas affected by hurricanes.

Hurricane Response 2005: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with FEMA to help assess the damage and prepare for cleanup from the hurricanes. In emergency situations such as this, EPA serves as the lead Agency for the cleanup of hazardous materials, including oil and gasoline.

HUD Newsroom

Provides the latest information on completed and pending actions of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a toll-free number for the public to get information on housing needs, and notices to mortgage lenders about forbearance in the aftermath of the hurricanes

Hurricane Data: U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau is providing a quick compilation of basic data on areas affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Human Health Services

Disasters and Emergencies (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Information about emergency medical shelters, volunteer opportunities for health care professionals, and other services provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Also find links to tips about hurricane preparedness.

Hurricanes: Links to Health Information

This page has toxic chemical and environmental health information resources for health workers and the interested public. The National Library of Medicine has also included links to information on chemicals that may be released as a result of the hurricanes and on environmental health concerns following the wind and flood damage.

Hurricanes: Health and Safety (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

CDC is coordinating key health information for individuals, responders, and health professionals for all federal agencies.

Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery

Keep Food and Water Safe

Animal and Insect Hazards

Clean Up Safely

Disaster Mental Health

Response and Cleanup Workers

Prevent Illness After a Hurricane

Hurricane Information for Health Care Professionals

Hurricane Information for Grantees

Safety of Medications, Medical Devices, and Biological Products (Food and Drug Administration)

Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products by Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Drug Use and Safety in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Medical Devices and Hurricane Disasters

Impact of Severe Weather Conditions on Biological Products

Mental Health and Disasters (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

After a Disaster: Self-Care Tips for Dealing with Stress

After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

The Long-term Impact of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life

Locating Health Services

Health Care Providers in the Affected Area (Health Resources and Services Administration)

Mental Health Services Locator (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Animal Welfare

UC Davis

Davis - Veterinary Emergency Response Team

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis has formed a volunteer disaster response team known as the UCD Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT).

Long Road to Animal Rescue

Animal Rescue Team from UC Davis rescuing horses in flood

Articles about disaster preparation, animal rescue and emergency care from UC Davis Center for Equine Health

Some Key Elements in Developing a Disaster Plan for Animal Care

From UC Davis

DANR Guide to Disaster Preparedness

From UC Davis, Veterinary Medicine Extension (91 pages; click on PDF file)

Disaster Preparedness Training Manuals, Workshops,Videotapes and Resource Information

Disaster Planning for Your Pet

Helpful Tips: Will Your Horse Survive a Fire, Flood or Earthquake?

The Wildlife Health Center

Other Sites

Disaster Preparedness, Animal Health Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Disaster Planning Tips for Pets, Livestock and Wildlife

From FEMA

Saving the Whole Family

From the American Veterinary Medical Association

The International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW

The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS)

ASPCA

Humane Society of the United States

Humane Society of the United States: 2005 Disaster Response

Rescuing Animals in Disasters

U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Preparedness Smart Practices Spotlight May 7, 2003

VMAT - Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams

Historic Deployment of VMAT Teams to Katrina-Ravaged Area

News Sites

LexisNexis: U.S. Politics & World News

This free version of LexisNexis offers news from a variety of sources on Hurricanes Katrina And Rita.

Local Newspapers

The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

The Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)

Birmingham News

St. Petersburg Times

Dallas Morning News

Houston Chronicle

San Antonio Express-News

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

WWL-TV New Orleans

The Weather Channel

Relief and Rescue Efforts

Emergencies and Disasters (Department of Homeland Security)

DHS is coordinating information about hurricane relief activities for all federal agencies.

DisasterHelp

This site is provides information and services relating to disaster management including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. It includes links to information related to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, acts of terror, drought, earthquakes, floods, tornados, and more. Topics for Hurricane Katrina include status of roads, post offices, power outages, and food and water safety.

Disaster Relief Organizations: Special Libraries Association

SLA's Information Professionals' Alliance on Natural Disasters and Accidents is reaching out to librarians and information professionals in the U.S. Gulf Coast areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. IPANDA was formed to link our global community and facilitate the sharing of assistance in times of natural disaster or catastrophic accidents. Visit the IPANDAnet Weblog to connect with fellow SLA members and info pros, to read or share info and personal stories, or to post requests of help needed or offered.

Local and State Response

Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Arkansas Department of Emergency Management: Katrina Information

Arkansas.gov: Katrina Assistance Relief Effort

Florida Department of Health

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Georgia.gov: Family & Health

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

Louisiana.gov: Hurricane Katrina

Mississippi Department of Health

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Oklahoma Health Care Authority

Texas Department of State Health Services

More State Offices and Agencies of Emergency Management

(Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security)

More State and Territorial Health Departments

(Association of State and Territorial Health Officials)

Climate and Weather Conditions

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

NOAA's mission entails environmental assessment, prediction, and stewardship. It is dedicated to monitoring and assessing the state of the environment in order to make accurate and timely forecasts to protect life, property, and natural resources, as well as to promote the economic well-being of the United States and to enhance its environmental security.

Hurricanes: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

National Hurricane Center / Tropical Prediction Center

National Weather Service

Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory NOAA

NOAA/National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Hurricane Katrina Response

NASA Hurricane Resource Page

Maps, Aerial Photos, and Satellite Images

NASA LandSat

NASA's Earth Observatory provides freely-accessible new satellite imagery and scientific information focusing on Earth's climate and environmental change.

FEMA Mapping & Analysis Center

The Mapping and Analysis Center (MAC) provides national level Geographic Information System (GIS) support and coordination to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

USGS: Hurricanes and Extreme Storm Impact Studies

USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program investigates the extent and causes of coastal impacts of hurricanes and extreme storms on the coasts of the United States.

Food and Agriculture

USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance

The Farm Service Agency provides emergency locan to producers in counties declared presidential disaster areas.

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

USDA Rural Development - Hurricane Katrina

USDA Rural Development can help people with damaged homes that need rehabilitation and repair. They can also help manage payments on existing loans or get new loans for needed repairs.

Education

CampusRelief.Org

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) have created CampusRelief.org, a resource for institutions, students, faculty and staff to aid in the recovery from these natural disasters. This site is updated regularly, please check back often for the latest news and information.

Chronicle of Higher Education

This section of the Chronicle Of Higher Education site features official announcements from colleges affected by the hurricanes from associations and government agencies.

Association of American Medical Colleges

The AAMC has established this Web site to serve as a central information resource for medical schools, students, teaching hospitals, and residents, and to facilitate coordination between academic medicine and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Library Organizations

Librarians' Index to the Internet

The Librarians' Index to the Internet provides a well-organized point of access for reliable, trustworthy, librarian-selected Internet resources.

American Library Organization

This site contains ongoing news coverage on how Hurricane Katrina has affected librarians, libraries, and collections.

Web Archive

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Internet Archive and many individual contributors created a comprehensive list of websites documenting the historic devastation and massive relief effort due to Hurricane Katrina. The sites were crawled between the dates of September 4 - October 17th. This collection, containing more than 25 million searchable documents, will be preserved by Internet Archive with access to historians, researchers, scholars and the general public.