American Red Cross volunteers from New Hampshire are on their way to provide disaster-relief efforts as Hurricane Isaac bears down on the Gulf Coast.

Eleven residents from the Granite State have already left for Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, states that are feeling the brunt of the storm that was categorized as a hurricane Tuesday afternoon by the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The center said Isaac became a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday with winds of 75 mph. It could possibly strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane by early Wednesday, according to forecast predictions.

“These individuals have been training for situations like this — some of them for years,” said Lisa Michaud, chief communications officer for the American Red Cross New Hampshire region. “When bad things happen, these people step up.”

Mandatory evacuations were issued Monday for parts of Louisiana, while other areas were encouraging voluntary evacuations as the storm approached. In Mississippi, a state of emergency has been declared, and hurricane warnings were issued for some areas, according to The Weather Channel.

Winds have the potential to reach 100 miles per hour by early Wednesday, as Mississippi residents were being encouraged to have an emergency supply kit available to provide support for at least three days, says The Weather Channel's website.

American Red Cross volunteers from New Hampshire will be stationed at various shelters, mobile feeding units, clean-up stations and mental health areas to assist wherever they are needed, according to Michaud.

“Once they identify the areas with the most needs, they will start with the basics,” she said.

The first resident from New Hampshire to be deployed to the south was Kristen Binau of Nashua, an American Red Cross employee who left Friday to help organize the various shelters being set up.

Bob Scheifele of Nashua, chief of Mass Care, left Monday for Baton Rouge, La. He will be heading a team of about 126 volunteers who will distribute food supplies to five kitchens and 50 mobile feeding units, according to Michaud.

Ian Dyar of Concord, an emergency services director for New Hampshire, is on his way to Alabama to help with relief efforts there.

And, Tom O'Neil of Portsmouth is driving an emergency response vehicle to Mississippi, while Mary McCrae of Durham is headed to Tampa to assist in whatever way she can.

“They are prepared for the worst, but of course they really don't know what to expect,” explained Michaud. “They are going to make sure they are safe, do what they are trained to do and expect some bad weather and flooding,”

The average stay for volunteers is about 21 days, but Michaud said some will stay just two weeks and others will remain longer if needed.

“There will probably be more New Hampshire volunteers in the days to come,” she said. “Because the storm hasn't cleared yet, this relief could be necessary for weeks. We want to make sure the folks there are cared for and that their needs are met.”

A couple from Bow, Debra and John Moore, were originally deployed to Florida to aid in the response efforts after the storm but were redirected to Mississippi where more help may be warranted later this week, said Michaud.

The Moores are also taking along an emergency response vehicle that will be used to distribute hot meals, water and cleanup supplies.

They will be joining several American Red Cross teams deployed along the Eastern Seaboard bringing aid to those displaced by the storm in the Gulf Coast.

Other New Hampshire residents who have already left for the south or are about to leave include Michelle McFadden of Nashua, Traci Smith of Rochester, John Keppler of Keene, and Laura Bertogli of Newton. Meanwhile, Harry Brown of Stewartstown is on a waiting list to be deployed.