National Guard units join in Gulf Coast efforts

National Guard units already strained by long overseas deployments joined federal, state and private organizations on Monday in a broad effort to provide relief in areas thrashed by Hurricane Katrina.

The American Red Cross said it was undertaking one of the largest emergency operations in its history, and federal disaster-relief teams were descending on the Gulf Coast.

Even before the storm hit, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had positioned 23 disaster medical assistance teams and seven search-and-rescue teams around the region.

FEMA also sent two teams of veterinarians to provide care to any injured pets or other animals.

More than 5,000 National Guard troops were called up to assist in relief operations. Tens of thousands more may be called as the extent of the damage becomes clear, officials said.