Washington: The American Red Cross is responding across multiple states
as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast.
The large and powerful storm could affect as many as 60
million people in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and the Red Cross has workers
and relief supplies in place to provide help to people in the path of Sandy.
The effects of the storm are already being felt with 128
people spending Saturday night in Red Cross shelters in North Carolina and
Virginia. Red Cross workers are preparing to open and support more shelters
today as the storm moves northward.
"This storm is dangerous and it's critical to follow
the advice of local emergency officials. If people are told to evacuate, they
need to do it," said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster
Services for the Red Cross. "The Red Cross has shelters open and will be
opening more throughout the day. Hundreds of disaster workers are ready with
relief supplies and emergency vehicles in place to help."
Almost 100 Red Cross emergency vehicles are mobilizing to
distribute meals and relief supplies after the storm passes. Thousands of
ready-to-eat meals and relief supplies such as cots and blankets are also being
sent into the region.
The Red Cross has urged everyone to make their final storm
preparations today. Sandy is expected to have a huge impact in the Mid-Atlantic
region, stretching north to New England and toward the Midwest. Millions of
people could lose power for several days. Gale force winds are expected,
accompanied by several inches of rain throughout the storm. Flooding could
occur as far west as parts of Ohio. In areas like West Virginia, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, several feet of snow could occur.