At press time, home care providers in the Gulf Coast were readying their disaster plans in anticipation of Hurricane Alex. "We have actually put that emergency plan in action," Reliable Home Health Administrator Adriana Hernandez told Action 4 News in Harlingen, Texas. In the days before the storm hit, Reliable staff spent time in the field making sure patients were prepared for the hurricane. Some patients will go to shelters while others will go to family's homes, said Reliable LVN Adrian Garza. Of the 20 shelters opening in the Brownsville-McAllen, Texas area, three were designated for special needs Texans such as those receiving home care services, according to the Austin American- Statesman. More information on dealing with Hurricane Alex is on the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice website at www.tahc.org.