Shelter Opened in Mt. Bethel as Delaware River Rises
News Release: August 3, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
At 7:30 p.m. (9/18), the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley opened a shelter at the Lower Mt. Bethel Township Building, 6984 Route 611, Lower Mt. Bethel, so families residing along the Delaware River could seek refuge from the rising water.
This brings to four the number of shelters opened because of flooding in the Lehigh Valley today.
In addition to the Mt. Bethel location, shelters are also open at Calypso Elementary School, 1021 Calypso Avenue in Bethlehem, and Nancy Run Fire Company, 3564 Easton Avenue in Bethlehem. The shelter at Donegan Elementary School is now closed.
A dozen Red Cross volunteers are currently on the scene assisting families with meals and snacks at the three shelters.
“We urge residents who have been displaced from their homes to return only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so,” said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services for the local Red Cross. “Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Buildings may have hidden damage that makes them unsafe.”
It is not known at this time how many families will be able to return to their homes. Red Cross officials are working with emergency management and local police and fire departments to ensure the safety of individuals affected by the flooding.
Anyone affected by flooding in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties, should call the local Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and thousands of other disasters across the country each year, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org. or www.redcrosslv.org.
