Red Cross opens hurricane shelter in Springfield

With Hurricane Irene heading north and anticipated to make landfall in New England overnight, the Vermont & New Hampshire Valley American Red Cross announced that they will open 8 shelters including one in Springfield.

The shelter site for Springfield area residents will be at Springfield High School (303 South Street). In anticipation of potential flooding, high winds and power outages, the shelter opened at 9:00 a.m. this morning (Sunday, August 28). The Red Cross will have the capacity to shelter and feed those that may be displaced by the storm.

For information on the seven other shelter sites, click here.

In the event of any disaster, you can let your family and friends know about your welfare by registering at the Red Cross Safe and Well web site. For people without internet access, they can instead call 1-866-GET-INFO to register themselves and family.



A Message from the Springfield Police Department:

The Springfield Police Department is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. There will be additional officers on duty and 2 dispatchers on to handle all calls.

Please remember we are "Emergency Services".

General loss of power at your residence is to be expected during such events. Calling the Police to report it, or inquire when it will be back on are not "Emergency" circumstances. Unless of course the wires are creating a fire or extreme safety hazzard, someone in the home is on some form of life supporting equipment requiring power or other medical related necessity.

Stay inside and don't travel unless you absolutely have to. Most places are anticipating closing early so there really won't be any place to go anyways.

Pack a small evacuation tote if you live in an area that could potentially start to flood or otherwise. Things specific you would need to leave you home in a moments notice, especially medications.

Please look out for your elderly or shut-in neighbors and family members. They will be effected as much as you will be, but may have less means to be able to be prepared. Invite elderly family to stay with you for the night or perhaps volunteer to stay at their home, especially if they live alone.

Please keep in mind that come Monday morning the storm may be over and the sky might be sunny & clear, but there may still be a great deal of damage not yet tended to. Expect delays if you are headed to work Monday morning.