1474 When did the Red Cross arrive?

It hasn't. Marty Evans was interviewed on Fox tonight about specifics of aid, and volunteers. The Red Cross was not allowed into New Orleans by the Louisiana Homeland Security. In case you're the type who doesn't trust Fox News to get it right, here's the statement from their web page. She also spoke on the Larry King show on CNN.

Louisiana couldn't guarantee their safety, nor did they want people remaining there, so although this sounds a bit crazy to us, I suppose it makes sense to them. From their web page:

"Access to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

The Red Cross has been meeting the needs of thousands of New Orleans residents in some 90 shelters throughout the state of Louisiana and elsewhere since before landfall. All told, the Red Cross is today operating 149 shelters for almost 93,000 residents.

The Red Cross shares the nation’s anguish over the worsening situation inside the city. We will continue to work under the direction of the military, state and local authorities and to focus all our efforts on our lifesaving mission of feeding and sheltering.

The Red Cross does not conduct search and rescue operations. We are an organization of civilian volunteers and cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access.

The original plan was to evacuate all the residents of New Orleans to safe places outside the city. With the hurricane bearing down, the city government decided to open a shelter of last resort in the Superdome downtown. We applaud this decision and believe it saved a significant number of lives."

Keep in mind, it is the Governor of Louisiana who gives orders to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Agency (gets its money and training from FEMA), and it was that decision that kept the Red Cross food and water from the evacuees.