Gustav Weakens Making Landfall, But IAFF Members Suffer Significant Losses

September 1, 2008 – Hurricane Gustav has moved over southwest Louisiana, weakening after making landfall in the heart of Louisiana's fishing and oil industry but avoiding a direct hit on New Orleans. The storm is expected to move into Texas and drop as much as 20 inches of rain there later in the week.

IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd reports that conditions suggest the storm will cause some wind damage, and will bring heavy rain and flooding, and likely widespread power loss. 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee is monitoring flooding possibilities that affect members in Texas.

Although Gustav was not as bad as originally predicted, IAFF members are still experiencing significant losses.

"As the IAFF continues to assist members and their families affected by Hurricanes Gustav, I am calling on the help of the entire International union to ensure our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast receive the assistance necessary to recover and rebuild," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

The most immediate need is for financial assistance to IAFF members affected by Hurricane Gustav.

The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance to IAFF members in the United States and Canada who suffer financial hardship as the result of a federally declared disaster area or in cases of natural or man-made disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires or civil disturbances.

Click here to donate online.

After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005, the Fund disbursed more than $1,750,000 to IAFF members in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Florida who were displaced by the storms. Additionally, the IAFF assisted more than 45 local affiliates and their 5,000 members in the stricken area, and provided incident command staff, communications, evacuation, food, medicine (including vaccinations and baseline medical evaluations), behavioral health and counseling, building materials, crews for house repairs, transportation and housing support. The Fund provided more than $500,000 for these efforts. In this fiscal year alone, the IAFF has provided more than $45,000 in member relief.

The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund is a 501 (c)(3) Trust Fund. Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: