Disaster Response The American Red Cross opened nearly 1,200 shelters, including a massive shelter at the Houston Astrodome to provide a safe haven for evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. (Photo Credit: American Red Cross) Experts predicted one of the busiest tropical storm seasons in U.S. history, and they were right. The 2005 hurricane season filled with scenes of incredible suffering, destruction and need. Tropical storms and hurricanes orchestrated a nonstop assault, leveling landscapes and leaving parts of the country along the Gulf Coast in a state of disarray. The first priority for the American Red Cross before, during and after any disaster is to provide emergency food, water and shelter as well as health and mental health services to those in need. During the catastrophic season, the Red Cross launched the largest mobilization of resources for a single disaster as Hurricane Katrina made her approach. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) from across the country were dispatched and hundreds of thousands of meals were prepared and ready to be delivered. Hundreds of thousands of Red Cross relief workers labored around the clock to help provide basic necessities. As residents of affected areas sought shelter around the country, the Red Cross network of more than 800 chapters provided evacuees with shelter, food, counsel and assistance. This is only a sample of the service delivery the Red Cross provided for the entire season. For the latest information and statistics, check out Compassion in Action [PDF].