FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Some volunteers from northeast Indiana are ready to help when Hurricane Florence hits the east coast.

Katherine MacAulay of the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana told Fort Wayne’s Morning News today that volunteers from our area make up just a part of an already massive effort:

“Just to date, because we wanted to get our volunteers staged, we have 1,500 workers in position and in place. We stopped travel today to ensure their safety.”

A typical volunteer deployment lasts about two weeks, but could last longer, depending on how much help is needed. Volunteers will work on addressing shelter needs first and foremost, then food and water, then focusing on wherever they’re needed.

Florence is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 storm today or tomorrow.

Indiana Michigan Power is also one of many local entities looking to help, as they’ll be sending teams down after the storm to help with power restoration efforts.