Red Cross Announces Hurricane Shelter Information

Red Cross Announces Hurricane Shelter Information

WILMINGTON NC, August 26, 2011 – As Hurricane Irene approached the Cape Fear region, the American Red Cross is preparing to open the following emergency shelters on Friday, August 26 in collaboration with local emergency management offices and the Department of Social Services for people seeking shelter from the storms.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY – All shelters open at 2:00pm

• North Brunswick High School - 1395 Scorpion Drive, Leland, NC 28451
• West Brunswick High School - 550 Whiteville Road, Shallotte, NC 28470 (pet-friendly shelter- dogs and cats only, owners must stay at the shelter with their animals, please bring pet’s food)
  
• South Brunswick High School- 280 Cougar Road, Southport, NC 28461
  

NEW HANOVER COUNTY – All shelters opens at 3:00pm

• Noble Middle School –  6520 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28405 (pet-friendly shelter- dogs and cats only, owners must stay at the shelter with their animals, please bring pet’s food)
• Dorothy B Johnson Elementary School – 1100 McRae St. Wilmington, NC 28401
  

PENDER COUNTY- All shelters open at 3:00pm

• Malpass Corner Elementary School - 4992 Malpass Corner Road, Burgaw, NC 28425
• Burgaw Middle School - 500 South Wright Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 (pet-friendly shelter- dogs and cats only, owners must stay at the shelter with their animals, please bring pet’s food)
  
• Topsail Elementary- 17385 US Hwy 17, Hampstead, NC 28443
  

COLUMBUS COUNTY – All shelters open at 6:00pm

• East Columbus High - 32 Gator Ln, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
• Edgewood Elementary - 317 East Calhoun Street, Whiteville, NC 28472
  
• Guideway Elementary - 11570 Swamp Fox Highway East, Tabor City, NC 28463
  

DUPLIN COUNTY* - All shelters open at 7:00pm

• Wallace Elementary School - 4266 NC 11 South, Wallace NC 28466
• BF Grady Elementary - 2627 North NC 11 & 903 Albertson, NC 28508
  
• James Kenan High School - 1241 NC 24 & 50 Hwy, Warsaw NC 28398
  

*Please note the current model for pre-landfall sheltering in Duplin County is that all shelters are managed and operated by Duplin County Department of Social Services.  The Red Cross takes a supporting role and partners with Duplin County to manage post-landfall shelters as needed. 

Personal items to bring with you to the shelter should include any medicines needed by members of the family, feeding formulas and diapers for infants, a pillow and blanket for each member of the family, a change of clothing, snacks, and books and simple toys for your children.

Public health requirements do not permit us to accept pets in shelters unless they are identified as “pet-friendly”. The “pet-friendly” shelters are West Brunswick High School, Burgaw Middle School and Noble Middle School. Pet owners must bring food for their pets and evidence of current rabies vaccinations and remain at the shelter with their pet.  Please contact your local animal control department for more information about obtaining shelter for your pet.

People can find open Red Cross shelters by viewing an interactive Google map at www.redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross shelter app for their iPhone from the iTunes store. A mobile-friendly version of the Hurricane Safety Checklist is now available for smart phone users to download at www.redcross.org/mobile.

It’s important that those affected by the storm stay in contact with loved ones and the Red Cross Safe and Well website can help them do that. Safe and Well is a secure, easy-to-use online tool to help families connect in an emergency. People can register by visiting the Red Cross web site or calling 910-762-2683.

About the American Red Cross:
You can help people affected by disasters like floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. To make a donation, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. To learn more about the work of the American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit redcross.org.