Red Cross shelters set up around Philadelphia
Sandy is expected to bring as much as ten inches of rain and flooding in some areas, winds gusting up to 80 miles per hour, extended power outages and even several feet of snow in the higher elevations.
Red Cross chapters throughout the potentially affected areas are mobilizing hundreds of disaster workers, readying shelters and coordinating response efforts with community partners. Red Cross workers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are finalizing preparations in advance of opening shelters as early as Sunday afternoon if needed.
Relief supplies like cots, blankets, ready-to-eat meals and snacks are being moved into place to support sheltering efforts.
This is a dangerous storm that should be taken seriously, and people should get ready now,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “Sandy could affect people all along the East Coast and the Red Cross is preparing to open shelters and is moving workers, vehicles and relief supplies into place.”
According to representatives from the American Red Cross, shelters have been set up around the region for residents living in vulnerable areas including 50 cots at West Philly High School, 50 cots at Roxboro High School and 30 cots at Samuel Fels Elementary School.
NBC10 has a more complete list of area shelters:
Philadelphia (All open at 4pm Sunday) West Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut Street Roxborough High School, 6498 Ridge Avenue Samuel Fels High School, 5500 Langdon Street
Montgomery County (All opens at 7pm Sunday)Pottstown High School, 750 North Washington St., Pottstown 19464 Cheltenham High School, 500 Rices Mill Road, Wyncote 19095 Norristown High School, 1900 Eagle Dr., Norristown 19403
Chester County Avon Grove High School, 257 E. State Road, West Grove 19390 (Opens Sunday 7pm) Lionville Middle School, 550 W. Uwchlan, Avenue Exton 19341 (Opens Sunday 7pm)
Delaware County Showalter Science and Discovery School, 1100 West 10th St., Chester 19013 (Opens Sunday 7pm)
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.