New Jersey Volunteers Head To Louisiana To Help Flood Victims

FAIRFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A pair of volunteers from New Jersey have left for Louisiana to help the victims of the deadly floods.

CBS2's Dave Carlin reported Billy McPhail and Bill Ulrich are on a mission to repay those who helped our area during Superstorm Sandy by driving down in a full-stocked Emergency Response Vehicle.

McPhail, a retired supermarket bookkeeper and a longtime Red Cross volunteer, kept track of provisions, including food that he will personally serve out of the truck to flood survivors.

"Going out to Louisiana, we're just paying back because of Sandy," McPhail explained. "People from Louisiana came out here and helped us out."

Ulrich, a former restaurant owner from Whippany, will be McPhail's constant companion for the next two weeks.

"I want to do it," Ulrich said. "I was drawn to do it. I like helping people."

The vehicle will join 90 others from across the nation in Louisiana, covering rough, broken terrain and providing food, water, and information.

The American Red Cross is 90 percent volunteer and more volunteers are needed.

"You can volunteer in many different ways: during a disaster response, help to outreach to a community, you can help during our blood drives," Ana Montero of the American Red Cross said.

Mental health specialists from New Jersey are also helping children cope with the disaster.