Bay Area Red Cross Responds to Hurricane Dennis Disaster.

What:

The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter is immediately deploying eight
highly trained disaster specialists and three Emergency Response
Vehicles with drivers to support the relief efforts following the
devastation of Hurricane Dennis in the southeastern United States.
The Emergency Response Vehicles are large multi-purpose vehicles used
in disaster operations. The vehicles serve as mobile feeding stations
used to distribute food and drink to victims in neighborhoods that are
not near a Red Cross shelter. Additionally, they serve as bulk
distribution centers for cleaning kits to help those affected to
clean their homes and businesses. Thus far, more than three thousand
people have sought shelter in one of 145 Red Cross shelters that have
been opened.

Hurricane Dennis, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph is a
category 4 storm which slammed into an area today still bearing scars
from Hurricane Ivan which hit the coast just 10 months ago.

Where:

Parking lot of The Village Shopping Center in Castro Valley; near
Starbucks. Take 580 East from Oakland to Castro Valley, Redwood Road
exit, turn left onto Redwood Road, turn left onto Castro Valley
Boulevard, Starbucks will be on the right, past Walgreen's.

When:

5:30-6:00 AM; Monday, July 11, 2005

Who:

Interviews are available with Carl and Cora Owens, Volunteers who will
be driving the truck to the affected area, and Greg Smith, chief
public support officer.

SPECIAL NOTE: Harold Brooks, Bay Area Red Cross CEO, will be available via phone from the disaster area for interview.