The American Red Cross Pine Belt Chapter is watching Gustav’s path as forecasters predict the storm to become a major hurricane threatening anywhere from southeast Texas to Alabama. Three current projected tracks — the National Hurricane Center, Accuweather.com, and The Weather Channel — have the storm heading towards the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline. Current forecasts have the storm making landfall sometime Tuesday with the area feeling its impact sometime later Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

Peggy Owens-Masfield is the director for the Pine Belt Chapter which serves Jones, Jasper, Smith and Wayne counties. She said individuals who are able should be ready to protect their own families and property.

“The most important thing anyone can do is to be personally prepared as a family and community,” Owens-Mansfield said. “There will be those who for whatever reason cannot prepare so those who can get prepared can take the strain off the response system.”

After Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross on a national level was scrutinized on the way the organization handled the disbursement of funds. Owens-Mansfield cautioned some of those same services shouldn’t be expected. The national level of the relief organization has also received much press this year about funding and donation shortages.

“Some things available during Katrina will probably not be available this time around,” she said. “Please don't plan on getting the same goods and financial help this time.”

She also said the mass giveaway program isn’t going to happen this time.

Owens-Mansfield cautioned people by saying no one is guaranteeing that Gustav is coming to Mississippi within the next few days. But, she said, people should prepare now in case the hurricane does impact the Pine Belt.

“Is Gustav coming to the Mississippi coast? We cannot make that call but getting your needed supplies as soon as possible is the best way to take care of your loved ones.

“If you don’t use the supplies now you may need them later. Don’t take a chance of not being able to get the things you need. Get food and drinking water for five days for your family,” she said.

Owens-Mansfield said free brochures about hurricane preparation are available at their office, located at 401 W. Oak St. in Laurel. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.