- The biggest concern with Tropical Storm Isaac is heavy rain and flooding
- Close to 750,000 people are without power in five states
- Relief organizations are on the ground, and there are ways you can help
(CNN) -- Residents from Louisiana to Florida are getting battered by fierce winds and pounding rain from Tropical Storm Isaacâ€" an eerie reminder of Hurricane Katrina that pummeled the Gulf Coast seven years ago.
The storm is sending some residents who ignored evacuation orders to their roofs. At least 150 others have already been rescued.
The biggest concern is flooding as the massive, slow-moving storm heads north up the coast. Some cities could get as much as 20 inches of rain before the storm passes.
This is the first major test of the $14 billion improvements on the pumps and levees in New Orleans that were crippled by Katrina. A levee that had not been rebuilt in Plaquemines Parish has overtopped and officials fear "deep flooding" there.
Close to 750,000 people are without power in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, according to power providers Entergy and Cleco.
Hurricane safety when the lights go out
Thousands of National Guard members are on hand to assist in rescue efforts, and relief organizations are on the ground.
"We're still very much in the middle of a major storm," said Daphne Hart, a Red Cross spokeswoman. "The flooding is a huge concern."
The Red Cross has deployed 2,400 disaster workers from Florida to Texas. On Tuesday night, more than 5,200 people spent the night in one of 79 shelters open across six states.
"We have nearly 200 emergency response vehicles that have been prepositioned in safe areas along the Gulf Coast," Hart said. "And as soon as it's safe to do so, those vehicles as well as disaster assessment teams will be canvassing the area trying to determine what the needs are.
"It could be anything from serving people hot meals as they're in their home trying to clean up, distributing clean-up kits with items such as rakes, shovels, gloves and trash bags, and just trying to get people back on their feet."
To assist the Red Cross in its efforts, you can donate by visiting the website, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
If you or a loved one are in one of the affected areas, you can also let people know you are safe by registering on the Red Cross' Safe and Well page.
The Salvation Army has emergency response teams and supplies in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and other states. They have 24 mobile feeding units and a 54-foot field kitchen that can provide up to 31,000 meals.
Keep a hurricane preparation checklist
Once the storm passes, the units will distribute food and water to those hit hard by the storm.
In New Orleans, more than 200 people spent Tuesday night in an emergency shelter downtown.
"Right now about the only thing we're able to do is help those individuals inside our shelter," said Maj. William Owens, the New Orleans area commander for the Salvation Army. "As soon as they allow us, we have disaster units for states throughout Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi that will converge in the areas that are needed."
Once the storm passes, the effort could turn to helping residents rebuild.
"The greatest need is going to be getting prepared to rebuild after the weather cooperates," Owens said. "We have our emergency units, our canteens that will be going out as soon as we're able to assess things and find out what exactly is going to be needed."
If you would like to help those affected by this disaster, you can visit the website, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text the word "STORM" to 80888 to make a $10 donation that will show up on your next phone bill.
AmeriCares is sending family emergency kits and cleaning supplies to Mississippi families affected by the storm. The relief supplies include household cleaning kits, mops and family emergency kits, which contain tote bags stocked with soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and other personal care items.
The kits are being distributed Wednesday by the Salvation Army in Gulfport.
To help AmeriCares with its disaster response, visit the website to make a donation or sign up to be a volunteer.
Direct Relief International has already distributed ready-to-use hurricane preparedness packs to 20 clinics in the path of the storm. The packs contain enough medicine and medical supplies to treat up to 100 people for three to five days.
Its Emergency Response Team is closely monitoring the storm, and more than 85 health clinics in five states have been contacted about their medical supply needs.
Links, tips and resources for hurricane preparation
Visit the website to assist in relief efforts.
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