Its no Katrina, but Hurricane Isaac will still be a major threat to lives and property when it makes landfall on the Gulf coast.
Almost 7 years after Katrina, emergency agencies are making plans to deal with whatever may come.
Chattanooga played a big role back then and local planning is underway once again.
The devastation left after Hurricane Katrina won't ever be forgotten.
In addition to record flooding in New Orleans and widespread damage, the storm displaced thousands of people.
Many of them came to Tennessee. That could happen again with Isaac.
BILL TITTLE, CHIEF, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT "Its a big operation if you get a few hundred evacuees in..and have to open up shelters and look after the people and feed them."
Caring for homeless evacuees doesn't just happen. They're miles from home and frequently carry all their possessions on their back. They need things that can only be provided through advanced planning.
BILL TITTLE "We've had a lot of experience with that in the last few years. But we do have a written plan..and we meet routinely.too. We have a great group of volunteer organizations who do such good work."
Across town at the Salvation Army, those same discussions are going on. The idea is to hope for the best and plan for the worst.
KIMBERLY GEORGE, SPOKESWOMAN, CHATTANOOGA SALVATION ARMY "Salvation Army of Chattanooga right now..we're making sure we're ready to go.....we're talking with different volunteers and staff to say, what does your schedule look like, would you be one that's ready to go?"
The Salvation Army fed and housed hundreds in Chattanooga for weeks following Katrina.
The Red Cross is also preparing to help.
DAVID HARTSOE, RED CROSS EMER. SERVICES "As needs come in, our folks will move. We also have our emergency response vehicle stationed here in Chattanooga..is prepared to move to where ever the storm path runs through."
And the storm could have another impact on us.
BILL TITTLE, CHIEF EMA "One of the great fears that we have ..For heavy flooding in the Tennessee Valley area, is one of these storms coming right over our area."
The actual track of the storm one is gets a shore..has not been determined.
Both the Salvation Army and the Red Cross say the best way you can help is with a cash donation that could be used for whatever need arises.
