Site to serve area residents affected by regional flooding concerns
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross will open a disaster shelter at the Barre Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill) to provide safe shelter for area residents who are experiencing flooding. The shelter will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 18th.
This is a Red Cross managed site operating in coordination with Barre City officials. The Red Cross is also working closely with local and state emergency management and government officials. We remind Vermonters to heed all transportation warnings and obey road closures. Do not drive through flooded roadways.
Individuals evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of their family, including:
- Prescription and emergency medications
- Foods that meet special dietary requirements
- Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
- Chargers for any electronic devices
- Books, games and other forms of entertainment
Pets are welcome at the shelter. Pet owners should bring crates, carriers, food, medication, collars, leashes, toys for their pets.
For help or for additional information, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-RED CROSS.
The Red Cross wants to remind Vermonters: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over – and 12 inches can carry your vehicle away.
- If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before going home.
- Avoid fallen power lines, poles, and wires. They can electrocute you.
- Watch out for falling trees and other debris.
- Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles, to reduce fire risk.
- Many injuries happen during cleanup. Wear protective equipment, like boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear, and an N95 respirator to protect your lungs. Follow the advice of local public health officials.
- Use flashlights in the dark — not candles.
- Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.
- Turn off and unplug any appliances, equipment and electronics. When the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
- If a power outage is two hours or less, don’t be concerned about losing perishable foods. 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, use food from the freezer. If the power outage will continue 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.
- If you are using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public. To donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters big and small, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. To become a Red Cross volunteer visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.
Source: BARRE, Vt., DECEMBER 18, 2023 — American Red Cross
