THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018 9AM — The second Nor’easter in less than a week struck Eastern Pennsylvania Wednesday, delivering another round of heavy, wet snow. The weight of that snow has led to additional power outages across the region. The Red Cross is working with local officials to open two additional shelters in response the new outages.
Bucks County: Middletown Township Municipal Building, 3 Municipal Way, Langhorne, PA
Monroe County: Stroudsburg High School, 1100 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, PA
Pike County: Dingman Township V.F.D., 680 Log Tavern Rd., Milford, PA;
Matamoras Fire Department, 506 Avenue Q, Matamoras, PA
Anyone coming to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:
Wednesday night about 70 people spent the night in Red Cross shelters in the Poconos. The shelters are providing warm meals, a safe place to sleep and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs. Hot showers and charging stations are also available.
In addition, the Red Cross is also supporting several partner-run shelters and daytime warming centers throughout all of Eastern Pennsylvania. For warming center locations near you, contact your municipality or county emergency management agency.
Power outages are expected to last through the end of the week in some places. The Red Cross has some important safety tips to keep you and your family safe as you wait for the lights to come back on.
DOZENS OF BLOOD DRIVES CANCELED
Inclement weather and power outages in March have caused blood drive cancelations that have resulted in close to 5,000 units of blood and platelets to go uncollected throughout the Eastern U.S. including close to 1,500 units in our region. Every day in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Red Cross needs to collect close to 800 units of blood and platelets—regardless of the weather—in order to meet the needs of patients. Donors of all blood types are encouraged to give as soon as they are able to help ensure hospitals have an adequate supply of blood and platelets. To find a donation site near you, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or download the free Blood Donor App.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS
People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for the upcoming winter storm. The Emergency app can also be used to locate an official Red Cross shelter near you. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case you encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help people affected by disasters like winter storms or countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
\n\nThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.