Red Cross Shelters Ready
By: Carlos Correa
Updated: January 12, 2007
Volunteers with the American Red Cross have spent the last few days stocking shelves with food and water preparing themselves for a second round of winter ice storms.
"What we have done is pre-positioned several sites. We got after hour phone numbers and we have them on board so that we can call them at a minutes notice and set up shelter at several counties north of I-44," said Cheryl Jackson of the American Red Cross.
Supplies including a number of cots have been placed inside several vehicles to help volunteers make their way into counties faster.
"Right now the volunteers are on call and ready to set up shelters or take supplies or do whatever is needed," said volunteer, Barbara Bowser.
Dozens of cots have already been delivered to various locations including shelters in Willard and Strafford.
"With in a matter of moments we can have the gymnasium turned into a shelter situation," said Major Norm Grainger of the Salvation Army.
The organization plans to provide shelter and meals for those left with no power.
"There's a possibility this could be long term. This could be a couple of nights and when the outside temperatures start to break into the house things aren't going to get any warmer," he said.
Grainger hopes people will take advantage of the shelters, but warns drivers should stay off the roads if there are several inches of ice on the ground.
"It's been our experience that although we have shelters, no one comes out because in the rural Ozarks and even in the big city, neighbors are neighbors here. If they are your neighbor, they are taking you into your home if you have power. So, it's hard to sell a shelter in the Ozarks, but we want to be prepared if we do need them," said
The American Red Cross says it’s a good idea to have extra supplies such as food and water inside your home incase you are stranded there.
Pets are not permitted at shelters so, people should plan ahead and arrange a safe place for animals to stay until they can return home, if people need to seek shelter elsewhere.
For more information, the American Red Cross has set up a 24 hour hotline at
