PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — After Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the Southeast, the Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing to send additional aid to those in need. Many residents remain without power, access to main roads or shelter following Helene's landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 26. MORE: Hurricane Helene devastates southeastern U.S. states Forty-five Red Cross emergency response vehicles have already been deployed to the affected areas, with 15 more set to head out Tuesday. Jamie Lynch, senior director of disaster services for the American Red Cross in Rhode Island, said the vans serve as mobile food trucks and are fully stocked with food and water, allowing volunteers to provide around 300 meals a day to those impacted. "These vans really go into the hardest hit communities and neighborhoods to distribute those meals for people that are trying to recover and muck out their basements, or even if they're in a shelter location and they can't get access to food," Lynch explained. RELATED: RI Red Cross sends volunteers to Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene The Red Cross will also distribute blankets, comfort kits and other basic necessities. "Comfort kits are basic, hygiene items that you would find — we always like to say — in a hotel bathroom. so it has, like, soap and deodorant and face cloths and all those items," Lynch added. Lynch said the vans will stay in the area as long as needed, with volunteers rotating shifts intermittently. Joe Apicelli, a Red Cross volunteer headed to Georgia, told 12 News this will be his 60th deployment. “What I do know is it’s a power and flooding situation," Apicelli said. "We’re going to make a big difference as soon as we get there.” His first deployment was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. "I'm looking at 14 days, and I may extend if the opportunity's there," he said. "I generally accept that opportunity, which would be another week, so you're home by three weeks." NEXT: Lifespan gets $1 million to improve sickle cell care Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW