Red Cross opens shelters

    The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting and supporting a community shelter in the Island Falls Town Hall in response to flooding caused by this week’s storm. At least three homes in and near Island Falls have been made inaccessible so far because of high water on the Mattawamkeag River and its tributaries and more than 10 local residents are in need of emergency shelter assistance. More local residents may be flooded out if water continues to rise.
    Under the direction of Joyce Knorr, the Chapter’s Aroostook County branch manager, the Chapter’s Aroostook County emergency response vehicle and disaster volunteers Bob Jordan and Ken Urquhart have delivered 15 cots, blankets, personal hygiene comfort kits and water to the town hall shelter on Route 2, where Island Falls Red Cross volunteer Alice Beaulieu is also providing assistance. Knorr also arranged for food from local businesses to feed the local disaster victims using the emergency shelter.
    According to Pine Tree Chapter Emergency Services Director Gretchen O’Grady, “This is what the Red Cross is here to do. The Aroostook County Branch is working with Island Falls Emergency Management Director Jeremy York to make sure that people affected by the flooding are safe and sheltered.”
    To make a gift to the Pine Tree Chapter’s Local Disaster Relief Fund, go online to www.pinetree. redcross. org or contact the Chapter at 941-2903.