ATLANTA -
Before Isaac even hits the Gulf Coast, help from the metro Atlanta area is already on the way. Emergency responders are getting in place even as the storm has yet to make landfall preparing to help as needed.
Over a dozen members of the Atlanta chapter of the American Red Cross are heading to Mississippi to help those that may be impacted by Hurricane Isaac.
Red Cross officials say the 17 volunteers will help in sheltering and feeding those displaced by the storm. The team of volunteers departed for Hattiesburg late Tuesday morning.
For French Brown, it's her first assignment for the charity.
"What I've been told to expect is unexpected. I'll be working on staffing capacity, making sure every area has somebody there to fill any open position. Also, just whatever's needed," said Red Cross volunteer French Brown.
Other members of the group have been through exercise before. Some say they won't know what storm victims need until they are actually in Mississippi.
"It's just so very rewarding to me to be able to help people when you are having a difficult time, and to offer them encouragement and let them know they will get through it." said Red Cross volunteer Martha Ashburn. "It's just a difficult period they're going through."
Red Cross officials say more than 1,500 disaster workers have been deployed across the Gulf Coast to help with Red Cross efforts in connection with Isaac.
Workers from Georgia Power got briefed on their mission and then headed out for the road on Tuesday.
"Right now, we're headed to Montgomery, Alabama. We're going to sit there for now and see where the storm hits and where the damage is and we'll be dispatched from there," said Gerard Vaughn, a Georgia Power engineer.
After Isaac makes landfall, dispatchers will send them to restore power to areas of the Gulf Coast left in the dark.
"It's real important that the guys work safe. There's all kind of hazardous conditions out there. The main thing is work safe, take it easy and do what we can to get the lights on," said Vaughn.
The Red Cross waited until Tuesday to send its crew because it wanted to see if the storm would have any effects locally.
