As Hurricane Henri takes aim at Long Island and the rest of the Greater NY region, the American Red Cross continues to mobilize staff, position supplies to shelters and support families in the path of this storm. The Red Cross also urges residents to take the storm seriously and finalize preparations.

The Red Cross has been positioning shelter and relief supplies in advance of the storm and has local volunteers ready to help. In coordination with local officials, the Red Cross is prepared to open hurricane shelters as needed and requested. The organization is also working with community partners and emergency responders to be ready to provide aid after Henri passes if needed.

At this time, the Red Cross is preparing to open six shelters in Long Island at 7pm tonight.

• Nassau Community College, 1 Education Drive, Garden City
• Brentwood High School, 5th Avenue & First Street, Brentwood
• Hampton Bays Middle School, 70 Ponquogue Ave, Hampton Bays
• Riverhead High School, 700 Harrison Ave, Riverhead
• Sachem High School East, 177 Granny Road, Farmingville
• East Hampton High School, 2 Long Lane, East Hampton

More shelter locations on standby across Long Island, NYC and the Lower Hudson Valley if needed.

Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information for open Red Cross shelters on redcross.org, 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) or the free Red Cross Emergency app. Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or by going to redcross.org/apps

The Red Cross encourages people who plan to stay in a Red Cross shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Don’t forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.

To help keep everybody safe, everyone in Red Cross emergency shelters is required to wear face coverings. In addition, the organization is using health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing as much as possible.

Those in the storm’s path should monitor local weather conditions and finalize their storm preparation steps now. The free Red Cross Emergency app also provides access to real time storm information and safety tips. Preparedness tips and safety resources also available at www.redcross.org/prepare.

HURRICANE SAFETY

• Obey evacuation orders from local officials. Prepare to evacuate quickly and know your routes and destinations. Fill your car's gas tank in case an evacuation notice is issued.
• Make an evacuation plan.
• Check and update your emergency supplies kit.
• Know the difference — a hurricane watch means conditions are a threat and residents should be alert and stay informed. Prepare to act if a warning is issued and stay informed. A hurricane warning means conditions are expected.
• During a hurricane or tropical storm, stay indoors, ideally in a room without windows.
• Prepare your home/yard. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood. Store outside items to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.
• Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channel for the latest updates.
• Never ride out a severe storm in a mobile home, even if it’s in a non-evacuation zone.
• Bring pets indoors and keep a close eye on them. Prepare a pet emergency kit with leashes, carriers, food, water, bowls, litter, litterbox and photos of you with your pet in case you are separated.
• Stay indoors. Avoid beaches, riverbanks and floodwaters.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding. Don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown.
• If the power is out, use a flashlight. Don’t use candles or any open flame for lighting.
• To find out what to do if flooding occurs or the power goes out, visit redcross.org.

YOU CAN HELP PEOPLE affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit www.redcross.org, call 877-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.