The Town of Huntington will open a shelter Wednesday morning at the Village Green, as the Red Cross shelter at Whitman High School consolidates with one in Patchogue.
Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone took the action Tuesday after an announcement that Whitman would no longer be available as a shelter. The plan was to move the Whitman shelter operation to St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.
The shelter is open to those hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and the nor'easter expected to hit Long Island Wednesday.
“For Huntingtonians, Patchogue is a long way to travel, especially when gasoline supplies are tight. Especially with cold weather tonight and a second storm approaching, we don’t want anyone who feels they need a shelter to stay at home in the cold beause of the distrance they would have to travel.”
Petrone asked the Huntington YMCA to make their gymnasium in their portion of the building available as a sleeping area for persons wishing to spend the night. The Red Cross agreed to provide cots, supplies and staff for the shelter.
“I thank the YMCA and the Red Cross for quickly joining the town in this effort,” Petrone said.
The shelter, at 423 Park Ave., will open Wednesday when the Whitman shelter closes and will remain open as needed.
Programming at the Senior Center will continue.
Whitman and all other schools in the South Huntington and Huntington districts have been closed since Oct. 29 because of the hurricane. The districts hope to reopen Thursday.
