ST. PAUL, Minn. -- As Hurricane Gustav roared into the Gulf Coast on Monday, Republicans escalated relief efforts and abbreviated the first day of their Convention in an attempt to reverse the lingering criticism of Hurricane Katrina three years earlier.

Convention volunteers erected a "Hurricane Information Center," inside the Xcel Energy Center where RNC-goers can monitor Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna and stay in contact with friends and family.

The space includes three flat-screen TVs set to cable news hurricane coverage, eight laptops with Internet access and two phone lines with free long distance service.

The center's staff prints out hurricane updates from the National Weather Service every hour and places them on a table in front of the center.

Emily Roberts, who refers to herself, as a "professional volunteer" said she was put in charge of the center after the request was made from Sen. John McCain.

Roberts said non-partisan group "Women of the Storm," had planned on attending both conventions to raise awareness of the needs of hurricane and flood victims. The group was able to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week, but as Gustav approached over the weekend, the group decided to stay in New Orleans and assist with relief efforts.

According to Roberts, the Hurricane Center has been helpful for dozens of Convention-goers, many of which traveled from affected areas near the Gulf Coast.

Mallory from Baton Rouge, La., said she used the Hurricane Center to stay in touch with family and friends. Mallory said she was having a tough a time because of "periodic power outages back home."

Republican officials also created an assembly center at the Minneapolis Convention Center and will send comfort packages to aid Gulf Coast residents affected by Gustav.

An RNC spokesperson said convention planners are working with Target, FedEx, and the Red Cross to assemble 80,000 care packages for Gulf Coasters.