Amateur Radio operators in Georgia are actively participating in the coordination and operations of the Georgia shelters housing people displaced by Hurricane Gustav. According to ARRL Georgia Section Public Information Coordinator Norm Schklar, WA4ZXV, more than 500 people fleeing Hurricane Gustav and its aftermath have made their way to Carroll, Gwinnett and Troup Counties in that state.

"We are also providing communications for Red Cross Information Centers located at the inbound Welcome Centers located on Interstates 20, 85 and 185," Schklar said. "Some of these locations will be manned throughout the night, while some will shut down for the evening." When hams cross over into Georgia, Schklar said that hams at the Information Centers will assess the needs of each group, radioing ahead to make shelter arrangements. This provides a smoother intake process at the shelter and assures each group that space is available for them at the shelter.

Schklar said that Net Control is operating out Red Cross Headquarters in Atlanta: "This operation is manned 24 hours a day. Net support is accomplished through the ARES® SKYWARN Team operating out of Peachtree City. These hams are utilizing the SKYWARN linked repeater system to provide links between Net Control, shelters and Information Stations."