High waters, downed power lines, fallen trees, lack of fuel and food -- Hurricane Ike left it's mark on the Texas coast early Saturday morning.

Evacuation orders sent residents north and ushered volunteers and rescue crews into the disaster zone.

"It's just been a massive, it's a massive destruction," a rescue crew member said. "We were trying to go house to house, trying to get a boat as close as we could to get out, walk, see if there is anything there that we can at least, to see if there is any person or whatever," he added.

Crews sacrifice the comforts of home to help those the hurricane hit the hardest.

"You live off of sandwiches and things like that in your truck. We don't have ac in this building here but weve been sleeping out of our trucks and everything else," he said.

In this mobile kitchen, Operation Blessing and Mercy Chefs can feed hungry volunteers at one meal.

Residents are still cautioned to stay out of the area, but first responders are on the scene.

With much of the area still without electricity, this may be their only hot meal of the day.

"Tonight, were going to feed about 550 meals," Chef Gary said. "We're feeding State Game Wardens, wildlife and fisheries, search and rescues, and Texas State Patrol," he added.

A local pastor, Randy, shares how thankful he is that ministries like Operation Blessing are bringing aid to devestrated people.

"These guys are seeing the devastation up close and personal. They are actually touching people and feeling their heartache and pain," Randy said.

"These guys are out there every day laboring with the people and to come here tonight and have someone that's willing to serve them and care for them is overwhelming to them," he said.

"These guys are blown away, they are very appreciative.. These guys are really been impressed with the ministry and the care that Operation Blessing is bringing."