NATCHEZ &045; In mid-September hundreds of people, suitcases and pets poured into Adams County seeking refuge from what was predicted to be one of the worst hurricanes to hit the coast in years.

Many of Hurricane Ivan’s refugees made makeshift homes for a day or more at the Natchez High School Multipurpose building &045; a Red Cross shelter.

Red Cross supplies, training and disaster plans used during the days surrounding Hurricane Ivan would not be possible without United Way money, Director John Goodrich said.

&uot;If it wasn’t for United Way we would not be surviving,&uot; he said. &uot;The local economy is not really in a position to support the Red Cross.&uot;

Goodrich said about 30 to 40 percent of the Red Cross budget comes from United Way funding.

The Red Cross responds to disasters of all kinds, from house fires to tornadoes, and between catastrophes offers a variety of training classes.

Disasters labeled higher than one on a one to five scale require state assistance, but the local chapter routinely handles single-family house fires or incidents involving one building.

&uot;We take care of whatever needs taken care of,&uot; Goodrich said.

Future plans for the chapter include converting a donated Isle of Capri transport vehicle into a moveable canteen that can be used to offer food and a dry location to nearly any disaster situation.

The vehicle can also be used to deliver warm meals to homes in the case of a widespread power outage.

After the disaster the Red Cross assists financially to get things up and running again.

Now that hurricane season has given way to the start of tornado season, Goodrich said the Red Cross will focus much of its time on disaster preparedness.

Year-round courses include CPR training, lifeguard classes and first aid classes. All classes are taught by volunteers. The board of directors is voluntary and other volunteers respond when needed. Goodrich is the only paid Red Cross position. &uot;We are always looking for people to donate money and time to us,&uot; he said.