Regional Press Release Header  

For Immediate Release
Contact: Caroline Boardman 

Regional Communications Director 

E-mail: boardman@redcrossneny.org

Phone: (518) 469-6480 

 American Red Cross opening 3 shelters in Mid-Hudson Valley for Hurricane Irene 

KINGSTON, NY (August 27, 2011) - The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) Regional office and officials in both Dutchess and Ulster Counties, will be opening three area shelters today in the Mid-Hudson Valley - in anticipation of severe weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Irene, which is expected to arrive on land late tonight and throughout the day on Sunday.

ARCNENY is dispatching  a team of regional volunteers to open shelters at the following locations and times:
  1. 1 p.m. Saturday (8/27/11)  -Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601      
  2. 7 p.m. Saturday (8/27/11) -SUNY New Paltz, Athletic and Wellness Center on the SUNY New Paltz Campus, New Paltz, NY 12561      
  3. 7 p.m. Saturday (8/27/11) - Benedictine Hospital, 105 Mary's Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401  

 

Volunteers will be on site to provide water, food, temporary shelter and assist with any other needs.  Those seeking refuge in shelters are encouraged to bring essential items that will make their stay safe and comfortable, such as any medications needed, light bedding material, baby food, diapers and other baby supplies for infants, etc. The American Red Cross shelters cannot accommodate any pets, residents needing assistance with pets should contact the local SPCA for assistance.

 

The Red Cross will also have client services available, should any shelter residents need counseling.

 

There is the anticipation that once the storm has moved through the region and damage assessment begins, if there is the need to open more shelters, the Red Cross and County Officials will be able to do that and provide sheltering and mass care for a larger population.

 

 

Everyone needs to take this hurricane seriously, be prepared, be safe, don't travel during severe storm conditions and check on relatives, friends and neighbors. Hurricane safety tips can be found at www.redcrossneny.org. For more information on the Mid-Hudson Valley shelters call: The American Red Cross of the Mid-Hudson Valley at Phone: (845) 471-0200.

 
As the scope of the disaster becomes more apparent, additional Red Cross resources will be made available as needed and requested by each county's emergency management officials. In the coming days and weeks, Red Cross staff and volunteers will work with those affected by these disasters to provide more assistance if needed, and to connect them with longer-term disaster recovery assistance.

 

 

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About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcrossneny.org.