Help headed to Gulf Coast

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- As Hurricane Gustav heads for landfall, some in the Charlotte area are headed down to help evacuees.

About a dozen volunteers from the Charlotte chapter of the American Red Cross have been sent so far. One of the volunteers, Brunetta Franklin, left Sunday morning.

"Just excited about getting there,” said Franklin. 

She will be going to Shreveport, La., and then will likely be sent where help is most needed.

Franklin has been a volunteer with the American Red cross for two years and has had a taste of disasters, including house fires.

However, she said she has never helped out with anything to the magnitude of Gustav.

"We'll have people who lost everything, not knowing where to pick up the pieces,” said Franklin.

She will have supplies going with her, including emergency response vehicles providing food for evacuees.

Perhaps the emotional preparation will be the bigger challenge ahead.

"You don't think about the natural disaster that's coming, you focus more on the people you're there to help,” Franklin said. “Giving back to people, that's the main thing."