Emergency shelters are available in communities across Vermont Sunday.
The American Red Cross outfitted 8 shelters as Hurricane Irene made its way up the coast.
A shelter in Brattleboro opened last night (Saturday) so the town could evacuate senior citizens in a low-lying housing complex.
Shelters are available as of 9 a.m. Sunday in Bennington, Springfield, Hartford, Rutland, Barre, St. Johnsbury and St. Albans.
Governor Peter Shumlin also declared a state of emergency as the storm was approaching so the state would be ready when it hit.
The state’s utilities say they expect widespread power outages that they warn could last for days.
Here are the locations for the Red Cross shelters:
Brattleboro, VT – Brattleboro Union High School – Fairground Road
Bennington, VT – Mt. Anthony Union Middle School – 747 East Road
Springfield, VT – Springfield High School — 303 South Street
Hartford, VT – Hartford High School – 37 Highland Avenue
Rutland, VT – Rutland High School – 22 Stratton Road
Barre, VT – Barre Auditorium
St. Johnsbury, VT – The St. Johnsbury School – 257 Western Avenue
St. Albans, VT – St. Albans Town Education Center – 169 South Main Street
Some local shelters have also opened:
Dover – Mt. Snow Resort and Dover Elementary School
Jamaica – Masonic Hall on Route 30
Wardsboro – Town Hall
Additionally:
The town of Dover has opened shelters at Mount Snow and the Dover Elementary School.
In Northfield the high school gym is open to evacuees.
Jamaica – Masonic Hall on Route 30
Wardsboro – Town Hall
Other communities may also open their own shelter; call your town or city office to see if there is one nearer to your home.