FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018 3PM — It’s been one week since a powerful nor’easter struck Eastern Pennsylvania, causing hundreds of thousands of power outages. A second nor’easter hit the area Wednesday, delivering another round of heavy, wet snow and additional power outages.
In response, the American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region has launched its largest disaster response since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Over the past eight days, the Red Cross and its partners have opened a dozen shelters, providing nearly 750 overnight stays for residents.
The Red Cross continues to respond to its most common disaster – home fires. There have been 44 fires across the region over the last week, with an additional 235 people receiving emergency assistance after being displaced.
The Red Cross is also moving additional resources and supplies into the hardest hit areas of the Poconos, with deliveries of bottled water, boxed meals and snacks at the two Pike County shelter locations today and tomorrow.
Utility crews have also been working around the clock to restore power, and have made significant progress. As a result, the Red Cross shelter in Bucks County will be closing at 7:00 this evening. The Red Cross shelter in Stroudsburg is scheduled to close Saturday morning.
The following Red Cross shelters will remain open for at least one more night, as power outages in parts of Monroe and Pike counties continue. Red Cross and partner shelters are open tonight at:
Monroe County: Stroudsburg High School, 1100 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, PA
Pike County: Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company, 124 Evergreen Dr., Bushkill, PA;
Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department, 680 Log Tavern Rd., Milford, PA
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.
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:
The 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.