Hurricane Katrina is over but the impact on those along the gulf coast will be felt for months and Topeka wants to help.

As Katrina devastated the lives of thousands of residents that live along the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, the Topeka Red Cross started planning their course of action to help families in affected areas.

Families like Brandi Hoffman's, who reside in Eastern New Orleans but have taken shelter in Hattesburg, Mississippi.

"Right now we're just lost kind of waiting to hear more," Hoffman said.

She says her family might not have homes to go back to.

"My parents home in Eastern New Orleans as well as my grandparents home, we're expecting probably six to eight feet in their houses," Hoffman said.

That's where agencies like the Red Cross will step in.

Topeka's local branch is gearing up their Emergency Response Vehicle to assist Mobile, Alabama.

"We're going into the worst of the worst," George Shepherd, Director of Emergency Services, said.

Red Cross will provide meals for those salvaging what they can from their homes.

"They're cleaning up like they've never cleaned before," Shepherd said.

The ERV serves up to 150 people, with an entree, a vegetable and dessert.

Volunteers will leave tomorrow morning and head into the most severe areas of destruction.

"They will be going into areas with no electricity, no refrigeration, they will be living in a shelter, the same conditions the residents are living in," Shepherd said.

Armed with food, money for a sleeping bag, a flashlight and batteries, Devan Tucking is excited about helping, and anxious about the destruction she'll encounter.

"I'm not sure exactly what to expect, I've been watching the news all day so my guess is as good as anybody else's. Major destruction, devastation, people's houses have been turned upside down, so I hope to be able to help," Tucking said.

The Red Cross will leave tomorrow morning and expect to begin assisting residents by late tomorrow afternoon.

Westar Energy is another Kansas agency that is helping. They're in Baton Rouge, Louisiana restoring power.