? As the Gulf Coast prepares for the potential havoc presented by Hurricane Gustav, two southwestern Connecticut volunteers from the Red Cross are venturing south to help.

Taryn Bolotin and Stefanie Gable just returned from three intensive days of training in Washington D.C. The training followed three weeks of Red Cross classes in Greenwich aimed at preparing volunteers for the worst.

The pair spent Friday readying for the trip ? making Red Cross IDs, packing clothes and making final travel arrangements. Saturday, they leave for New Orleans.

The storm is expected to hit the Gulf Coast Tuesday, and Bolotin says it?s important for volunteers to be in place if and when it does.

The two women say they?re not sure exactly where they?ll be working or if they?ll be working together, but they?re ready for the challenge.