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More than 240 in Central PA seek shelter from Sandy

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Information provided by American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross sheltered more than 240 residents of central Pennsylvania last night in Red Cross shelters as downgraded Hurricane Sandy’s winds and rains lashed the area. A total of nearly 11,000 people spent Monday night in 258 Red Cross shelters in 16 states – New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Indiana, Michigan.

Today, the Red Cross serving Central Pennsylvania will be opening a new shelter in Altoona, Blair County and relocating the shelter in Harrisburg, Dauphin County.

-The American Red Cross is opening a shelter in Blair County at the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department, 1500 East Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602. The shelter will be open at 6:00 tonight

-The shelter in Dauphin County will relocate to First Alliance Church, 403 Progress Ave (corner of Union Deposit and Progress) Harrisburg, PA 17110 at 4:00 p.m. (Pet shelter available) (The current location at John Harris High School, 2451 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17103 will close at 3 p.m.)

The following Red Cross shelters are remaining open at least through overnight tonight:

-Cumberland County: Staying open Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (Pet shelter available: 238 North Locust Point Road, Mechanicsburg (New Kingstown Area) Building #1)

-Franklin County: Staying open Salem United Brethren Church, 4349 Letterkenny Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201

-Lancaster County remaining open: Manheim Township Middle School, 115 Blue Streak Blvd (school Road), Lancaster PA 17601 (Pet shelter available)

-Lebanon County remaining open: Lebanon Valley Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042 (Pet shelter available)

-Snyder County Remaining Open: Selinsgrove Area Middle School, 401 N. 18th Street, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 (Pet shelter available)

Those coming to a Red Cross shelter should bring the following with them: identification, any medicines and medical equipment, pillows, towels, blankets, personal care items, bathrobes, change of clothes, books/magazines, personal care items. For children and infants, please also bring infant supplies such as formula and diapers and items to comfort and entertain the children.

The following shelters are in the process of being closed, as the need for them has passed:

-Adams County: Gettysburg Senior High School, 1300 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Closed at end of day

-Centre County: Bald Eagle Area High School, 751 South Eagle Valley Road, Wingate, PA 16823 Closed by end of day

-Clinton County: day Renovo Fire Company, 230 Eleventh Street, Renovo, PA 17764 Closed by end of day.

-Dauphin County: Pet Shelter is now closed.

-Fulton County: McConnellsburg High School, 151 East Cherry St. McConnellsburg, PA Closed by end of day

-Huntingdon County: Cassville United Methodist Church, 30 Maple Street, Cassville, PA 16623 Closed by end of day

-Lycoming County: New Covenant United Church of Christ, 212 E Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 Closed by end of day

-Northumberland County: Shamokin High School, 2000 W. State Street, Coal Township, PA 17866 Closed by end of day

-Tioga County: Knoxville-Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, 105 Case Street, Knoxville, PA 16928 Closed.

-Union County: Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School, 2057 Washington Ave., Lewisburg, PA 17837. Closed by end of day

-York County: Northern High School, 653 S. Baltimore Street, Dillsburg, PA 17019. Closed by end of day

-York County: York County School of Technology, 2179 S. Queen Street, York, PA 17402. Closed by end of day

-The York County Shelters in East Berlin and at the Emanuel United Methodist Church, Logansville, will also be closed by the end of the day.

Sandy has affected a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country and the American Red Cross is working hard to get help to where it is needed.

In areas hit by this storm, we urge people to check on their neighbors, make sure everyone is okay, and take care of each other until help arrives.
Everyone should follow the direction of their local officials during this disaster – evacuate if told to do so, stay in a safe place and off the roads until the storm is over, and do not return home until officials say it is okay.
This is a huge disaster, bigger than any one organization can handle. We are working closely with government officials and community partners to respond.

Almost 11,000 people spent Monday night in more than 250 Red Cross shelters across 16 states and these numbers could increase as the storm moves into cities like Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and Milwaukee with heavy wind, rain and snow.

· The Red Cross is helping people with safe shelter, food and water and a shoulder to lean on.

· We’ve mobilized 1,700 disaster workers from all over the country who have served more than 25,000 meals and snacks so far. We have also activated 167 response vehicles and shipped in more than 230,000 ready-to-eat meals.

· Shelters were open overnight in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia and Indiana.

We urge people to stay in a safe place until the storm passes, listen to their local officials and evacuate if told to do so. To find a Red Cross shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross web site, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check local media outlets.
· People can let their loved ones know how they are by using the “I’m Safe” button on the Red Cross Hurricane App which can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

· People can also register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website to let loved ones know they are okay. To register, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The response to Sandy is very large and very costly and the Red Cross needs your help now.

To donate visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected.
Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Nearly 300 Red Cross blood drives have already been cancelled due to the storm, and more are expected. This represents a loss of as many as 9,000 blood and platelet products. We’re asking people who are eligible to give blood especially in places not affected by the storm, to schedule a blood donation now.

· To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To give blood, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.

· The Red Cross shipped blood products to hospitals in affected areas ahead of the storm as patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather.


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