(Columbia) August 31, 2005 - Governor Mark Sanford has asked the SC National Guard to identify and stand ready to provide personnel and equipment resources to the areas struck by Hurricane Katrina.

Gov. Sanford has also prepared an executive order that will activate the SC National Guard for deployment to those areas. The South Carolina National Guard will deploy nearly 300 soldiers and their equipment including a Military Police Company, Water Purification Company and a Medium Transportation Company to Louisiana on September fourth.

Gov. Sanford has also asked all state agency heads to work with state employees who are Red Cross-certified disaster service volunteers to accommodate their participation in Red Cross relief efforts. In addition, Gov. Sanford urged all South Carolinians to reach out in whatever way they can to the people affected by Katrina.

"Hurricane Katrina is an indescribable tragedy that has forever changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of folks along the Gulf Coast. No one here will ever forget the outpouring of support that came from all over the country when Hurricane Hugo hit our state back in 1989. South Carolina is a caring and generous state, and we're ready to return the favor," Gov. Sanford said. "I’d ask that every South Carolinian offer whatever kind of assistance they can, and to join Jenny, the boys, and me in keeping the folks hurt by this disaster in their thoughts and prayers during the coming weeks."

The SC Emergency Management Division is working with first responders and other state agencies to provide assistance once official requests are received. The Division will deploy two members of its Operations staff to Mississippi on Friday and will send two additional staff members to the Gulf Coast area in the near future to assist with the Public and Individual Assistance.

For South Carolinians who want to offer further assistance to Katrina victims, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently recommending that all cash and voluntary assistance be directed through voluntary organizations. A list of FEMA-recommended agencies can be found here .

Updated 6:35pm by Bryce Mursch