As the Gulf Coast braces for Hurricane Gustav, Rhode Island officials are taking stock of their resources in the event that storm or any other makes it this way.

“It’s a delicate balancing act,” said Lt. Col. Denis J. Riel, public affairs officer for the Rhode IslandNational Guard. “As we look to assist other states, we have to keep into consideration what our resources are back here in case something unforeseen happens.”

The Guard is counting available personnel and inventorying equipment that could be deployed to the Southeast without leaving Rhode Island dangerously short of either. Already, 35 members of the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team have been deployed to Fort Worth, Texas, by the National Disaster medical System to assist evacuees and residents in the wake of the hurricane. Rhode Islanders should ensure they are prepared for a hurricane, Riel said.

“This shows as a direct reminder that, first and foremost, preparation for hurricanes and disasters is a personal issue,” Riel said. “We all learned lessons post-Katrina: Rhode Islanders should be prepared, especially the 16 coastal communities that would be affected by a hurricane or high water disaster.”

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has emergency plans and an itemized list of things to include in an emergency kit at its Web site: www.riema.ri.gov/preparenow/.

— TALIA BUFORD