ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Local Red Cross volunteers are already on their way to North Carolina.

Two disaster action team members from Stockton are trying to beat the storm to the east coast.

They will help North Carolina residents to prepare for Hurricane Irene's landfall at the end of the week. This isn't the first disaster relief trip for the pair and they say it's very rewarding to be there when they're needed the most.

Red Cross Volunteer Walt Schaefer said, "It's a good feeling to think when you're helping people there. You don't realize it until you're actually doing it because there's so many needy people who lost everything. All they got are the clothes on their back."

More than 80 Red Cross Emergency response teams are already en route to the east coast.