Disaster volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross from across the province, with reinforcements from Nova Scotia, continue to manage or support eight warming centres and shelters in New Brunswick communities significantly impacted by power outages following last week's ice storm.
While hundreds of people take advantage of the service to warm up for a few hours, refill water bottles, charge mobile phones or laptops, and receive information updates, the number requiring overnight lodging remains low, as most people chose to spend the night in their homes, or stay with relatives, friends or at hotels and motels.
New Brunswickers seeking up-to-date information on warming centre or shelter locations and hours of operation can contact the Canadian Red Cross 24 hours a day at: 1-800-222-9597.
Currently, warming centres open daytime include:
• Quispamsis: QPlex at 12 Randy Jones Way - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Oak Bay: Volunteer Fire Department, Route 170.
• Lower Greenwich Fire Department – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Warming centres that offer overnight shelter if required, including cots, blankets and 24/7 staffing include:
• Lawrence Station: Lawrence Station Elementary School
• Harvey Station: Harvey Health Centre,2019 Route 3.
• St. George: Magaguadavic Place, 11 J.O. Spinney Drive
• Grand Bay-Westfield: St. Matthews Church
• Garnett Settlement-Simonds: Simonds Fire Department, Range Road
• Sussex: Sussex Middle School, 49 Bryant Drive (currently closed but on standby if need arises)
At shelters staffed by Canadian Red Cross personnel, there have been 495 clients to date, though only 29 have opted to stay overnight. In a couple of isolated cases due to special needs of clients, the Canadian Red Cross has also arranged emergency motel lodging.
Sixteen Canadian Red Cross disaster volunteers and one staff continue to support warming centre and shelter operations. That includes four from Nova Scotia who will be returning home on Sunday in advance of the next approaching storm.
Disaster services offered to the public by the Canadian Red Cross are always free of charge thanks to individual and corporate donors whose financial donations cover costs including training and equipping volunteers, inventories of relief supplies and direct aid to clients. Donations to support such ongoing work of the Red Cross can be made online any time atredcross.ca, or by calling toll-free 1-800-418-1111, or in person during regular office hours at any Canadian Red Cross office.
