UPDATE: August 22, 2021, 7:00 PM

With the storm weakening as it passes through Long Island, the Red Cross will start to demobilize some of the shelters that had been set up across Long Island for evacuees. This is the updated list of open shelters for this evening, Sunday, August 22, 2021:

Nassau Community College, 1 Education Drive, Garden City, Nassau County

Sachem High School East, 177 Granny Road, Farmingville Suffolk County

Shelters will close at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021. 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 

With staff, supplies and shelters at the ready, the American Red Cross in Greater NY has begun supporting residents, including some already displaced by Henri. The Red Cross also urges residents to take the storm seriously and be safe. 

After torrential downpours in NYC last night, the Red Cross supported families in Brooklyn and Staten Island who experienced localized flooding in their houses and apartments 

Last night on Long Island, the Red Cross opened six shelters in advance of the storm which will remain open. 

• Nassau Community College (Fieldhouse) - 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 

The Greater NY Red Cross has additional staff, supplies and shelter locations at the ready if needed and stands ready to continue supporting across NYC, Long Island, Westchester County, Rockland County and Greenwich Conn. as the storm passes through.  

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. 

Flooding/Hurricane Safety  

• Stay informed to changing weather conditions. Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channels for the latest updates. 
• Obey evacuation orders from local officials. 
• Store outside items, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone. 
• Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way.  
• Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.  
• Stay away from glass windows and doors during high winds. 
• If you live in an area prone to flooding, move to higher ground before flooding begins.  
• Stay away from floodwaters.  
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwaters.  
• If power lines are down, don’t step in puddles or standing water.  

Power Outage Tips  

• Charge your electronic devices and chargers in advance of power outages. 
• Use flashlights in the dark — not candles.  
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will likely be congested.  
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment and appliances. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.  
• Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.  
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outside away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Full generator safety information is available here.  
• During a prolonged outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food.  
  • Use perishable food from the refrigerator first, then, food from the freezer.  
  • If the power outage continues beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and cover it at all times.

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. 

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.