(ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aug. 15, 2017) – American Red Cross trained volunteers will be staffing three safe and well/reunification centers at several solar eclipse viewing sites in western North Carolina. Working in coordination with local emergency management partners, the Red Cross stands ready to assist with additional services as needed.

Reunification centers located at Konehete Park and Heritage Park in Cherokee County will be open Sunday and Monday. A third site will be added on Monday at Bridge Park in Jackson County. Red Cross volunteers will coordinate with local law enforcement to facilitate group reunification. Anyone in these areas who may get separated from their parties may look for a Red Cross marked tent. There, people may register as safe and well on the Red Cross “Safe and Well” website at safeandwell.org. Friends and family members may also search the website in hopes of locating someone who is missing as marked “safe and well.”.

As local hotels are booked up with little to no available rooms, the Red Cross has shelters on standby should the need arise in response to local disasters such as a home fire that may displace residents from their homes.

The Red Cross is able to provide such services free to the people we serve thanks to the generosity of our donors. Anyone wishing to assist the Red Cross in providing assistance to people impacted by disasters may donate at redcross.org/wnc, by calling 800-RED-CROSS or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999to make a $10 donation.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, may visit redcross.org/volunteer for information or to set up a profile.