NATCHEZ — As Tropical Storm Gustav comes swirling into the Gulf of Mexico, the Miss-Lou has begun to brace for its possible ramifications.

The Adams County Chapter of the Red Cross and the Adams County Emergency Management Agency began preparations at the beginning of the week and now have swung into high gear.

Chapter Manager Angie Brown said the shelters — mainly local churches — have been notified that they may have to open for evacuees.

“That’s the first thing we do is we notify our shelters,” she said.

The eight shelters in the area can house approximately 1,000 people, Brown said.

Once the first shelter is 50 percent full, Red Cross asks for another shelter to be open and once the first reaches 75 percent of its capacity, they begin to move people to the second, and so on.

“Instead of all the shelters opening helter-skelter, we have a process that won’t waste our human or resource materials,” Brown said.

She said Red Cross vendors have also been contacted to let them know food orders may start coming in soon.

“Then of course we’ve made contact with EMA directors in other counties, Amite, Jefferson, Wilkinson, to see if they’re going to need any help on getting supplies down to them,” Brown said.

Both Brown and EMA Director Stan Owens said the most important thing right now is having locals prepare themselves.

Owens said residents need to have enough supplies to last for 72 hours.

“I would go as far as saying from 72 hours, I believe everyone needs to be prepared to take care of their family for three to seven days,” he said. “I know it’s hard for some families to do that and kind of stockpile that kind of equipment materials.”

Materials needed are water, nonperishable foods, an FM radio, flashlights, spare batteries, medications and cash.

“If the power goes out, the ATMS don’t work,” Owens said.

As for EMA preparation, Owens said the agency has been gathering its equipment like generators and tarps and making sure everything is fully functioning. Owens said if the storm continues to move on its projected path, it will essentially mimic the path of Hurricane Katrina.