A cell phone call from Pensacola, Fla., to Oklahoma City brought news that Express Personnel Services would not go untouched by Katrina.

Jo Bonello, an Express corporate developer in Biloxi, Miss., called headquarters earlier this week to say she and her family were OK -- but that was not the case for some of the offices Bonello helped open and grow.

"There's no work that's going to be there. Everything is at a standstill," said Sean Simpson, corporate communications director for Express.

Although the total damages to Express locations is unknown, Simpson said information makes the seriousness clear. Express' Gulfport, Miss., office, which was feared to have been blown away, was submerged under 12 feet of water. The Covington, La., office also was damaged while the Baton Rouge, La., location remained in operation -- without phone service.

Robert Myer, owner of the Gulfport and Baton Rouge locations, plans to rent a portable office and headquarters is helping him order new equipment. Myer said it's important for Express locations to operate and serve clients, even during tough times. He said one client in particular is in need of Express' services.

"If we don't take care of FEMA, they can't take care of folks," Myer said.

Marshall Lee, vice president of federal accounts for Express, said the staffing company began working with the Federal Emergency Management Association when Hurricane Ivan hit last year.

Lee said FEMA already needs workers to help set up disaster command posts. The federal agency requested 24 people to work in the Gulfport area, and Express will do every thing it can to accommodate, Lee said.

Express' International in Oklahoma City is helping damaged franchises process their payroll from last week so associates can get paid. Simpson said those efforts will continue as necessary and headquarters will send a team to ravaged areas to help franchisees rebuild their businesses.

Some evacuated Gulf Coast residents who have relocated to Texas and are going to the state's Express Personnel offices aren't finding job placement easy. Simpson said they lack proper identification and other information. Express also can't confirm previous employment because the businesses are unreachable. Simpson said this may become a problem in Oklahoma as people start fleeing to the Sooner State.