Red Cross responds to hurricane Earl on Atlantic Coast

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The American Red Cross on Friday said it is currently responding to Hurricane Earl victims, helping people affected by the winds, rains and flooding in North Carolina and is ready to continue its tasks as the storm moves up the Atlantic Coast.

A dozen Red Cross shelters were opened in North Carolina, giving more than 260 a safe place to ride out the storm last night as heavy rain and strong winds passed through the area.

Earl has moves out of the area, which will allow the Red Cross to assess damages left by the storm and help people as they begin to cleanup. Over 183 Red Cross disaster workers have been deployed to North Carolina to support efforts there, along with 37 emergency response vehicles and two trailers of additional disaster relief supplies.

On Friday, according to forecasters, Earl weakened to a category one hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour, and higher gusts, but is expected to remain a hurricane as it approaches southeastern New England, forecasters said on Friday.

"Earl's strong winds and heavy rain have been pounding the Outer Banks, and flooding, damage and dangerous waves are expected to stretch from the Carolinas to Maine as this storm moves up the Atlantic Coast," said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services.

"The Red Cross has shelters and relief supplies to help people hit by the storm, with shelter, staff and emergency response vehicles in position in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Residents of eastern New England must remain vigilant as the storm approaches and take steps to ensure they are prepared," Becker added.

Hurricane or tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect from North Carolina to Maine. Forecasters say the storm could push further out into the Atlantic before slamming into New England, with much of the attention on Rhode Island and Massachusetts, especially Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island.  

The Red Cross is ready to open shelters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 200 trained disaster workers have deployed to the area to assist those who may be affected by the storm.

The Red Cross has 24 emergency response vehicles in the two states, with two trailers of disaster relief supplies that arrived in the area Thursday.

Along with various state, county and local government officials along the Atlantic coast, the Red Cross is determining what the areas will need. Emergency planning is underway in North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.  

The Red Cross advises anyone visiting the shore during Labor Day weekend to swim only on lifeguard protected beaches and within designated swimming areas as Earl will continue to cause powerful rip currents that are likely to be seen along the Atlantic Coast.

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