Southwestern Connecticut Red Cross volunteers now in Texas are busy trying to undo some of the damage wrought by Hurricane Ike, which pummeled the Gulf Coast this weekend.

The volunteers say the hurricane ripped down power lines and trees while flattening homes and flooding streets. They say the worst part, though, is seeing hordes of people left hungry, thirsty and with nowhere to go.

Rich Loris, of Trumbull, arrived in Texas over the weekend and is now in Houston awaiting deployment to Baytown, a city on Galveston Bay, where he says the problem now is getting food and water to the victims.

Angela Malazia, of Stamford, meanwhile, is in Huntsville, Texas, where she says she is literally helping to feed thousands.

Loris and Malazia will spend about two weeks trying to provide relief in Texas.

The Red Cross is asking for the help from others in the form of donations.

To donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or log onto