Anticipating a potential need for safe haven for Eastern Shore residents affected by Hurricane Florence, the State of Maryland and the American Red Cross of the Greater Chesapeake Region opened a shelter in Talbot County.
READ MORE: What you need to know ahead of potential evacuations
Chesapeake College's Health Professions and Athletics Center, 1000 College Circle Drive in Wye Mills, will serve as the shelter site. Anyone ordered to evacuate or who finds themselves in search of safer lodging during the storm is encourage to utilize the facility.
Those heading to the shelter should bring prescription medications, pillows, hygiene supplies, medical equipment, diapers, cell phones, chargers, important documents, and other person comfort items if possible. It is a congregated shelter environment, but pets are welcome.
READ MORE: What you should do with your pets during a hurricane
The Red Cross also provides their Safe and Well website, a free public reunification tool that allows individuals or groups to register and post messages. The service helps people leave messages that they are safe or that they are in search of loved ones.
Hurricane Florence's trajectory and strength have changed recently, and most forecasts for Maryland are much milder than originally feared. But higher tides and winds coming off the ocean may contribute to increased coastal flooding. Rains may contribute to flooding as well, as they continue to soak already saturated ground.
