"The agency is stretched to the limit. There's no question about it," said David Paulison of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"This is one disaster after another, but it's not beyond our capacity to handle."

Paulison said FEMA still has about 5,000 people in Florida helping with recovery efforts from hurricanes Charley and Frances. Some of those workers will assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, which is expected to come ashore somewhere along the Gulf Coast this morning.

"We want people on the ground as quickly as we can, within eight to 12 hours, or 24 hours at the latest," Paulison said.

He said much will depend on the conditions in the affected areas after Ivan passes through.

Agency officials did not have estimates on exactly how many workers would need to be sent out for Ivan.

The agency has six rescue teams of about 35 workers each, ready to go where needed.

Six other teams of doctors, nurses and other medical staffers have gone to Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama.

The government is prepared to move in some 600 refrigerated trucks of ice and water. An additional 17 trailers were heading to Mississippi with generators, cots, blankets, home-repair kits and other supplies.