Several Red Cross volunteers from Western and Central New York are headed to Louisiana to help people in the flood-ravaged areas of that state.
The Red Cross is helping at least 4,700 people in dozens of emergency shelters in Louisiana after the flooding that has left 15 rivers in record flood stage.
Among the volunteers, Sarah Perkins of Pittsford, a longtime Red Cross volunteer who will be helping with disaster assessment.
Red Cross officials say that thousands of people have been forced from their homes with little but the clothes on their backs. Volunteers are opening shelters, and providing food and other services.
Flooding is expected to continue for several days.
