All articles tagged with #emergency shelter
Clackamas County emergency crews responded to multiple incidents caused by heavy rain, including water rescues of a man stranded in a park and a family trapped in a car, as well as a house fire in floodwaters. Evacuations affected 300 homes, and a Red Cross shelter was set up at Clackamas Community College, ready to assist displaced residents.
Ventura County residents are facing evacuation orders and warnings ahead of an incoming winter storm expected to bring heavy rain, with mandatory evacuations in the unincorporated Ojai area and evacuation warnings for several other areas. The storm is forecasted to bring prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain, raising concerns about landslides or debris flows. An emergency evacuation shelter has been set up at the Ventura College Gymnasium, and officials are closely monitoring the situation as the storm approaches.
Ventura County is under evacuation warnings ahead of a strong winter storm, with areas including Unincorporated Ojai and La Conchita being particularly at risk of landslides or debris flows due to heavy rain. The Ventura County Human Services Agency and American Red Cross are opening an Emergency Evacuation Shelter in Ventura for those in need of temporary shelter.
Ventura County authorities have issued evacuation orders and warnings as the strongest storm of the season approaches, with 3 to 6 inches of rainfall expected in coastal and valley areas and 6 to 12 inches in foothill and mountain areas. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch and winter storm watch for the region, with potential snow and wind gusts of up to 80 mph. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for specific communities at risk of flooding and debris flows, and an emergency evacuation shelter is set to open. Residents are urged to stay alert and prepared for potential flooding and to monitor changing conditions.
Migrant families are set to move into the Melnea Cass Recreational Complex in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, repurposed as an overflow emergency shelter, sparking concerns from the local community about the loss of programs for residents. The facility will accommodate families previously sleeping at Logan International Airport, with plans to relocate recreation programs and reopen the center as a recreational facility by June. Massachusetts operates under a right-to-shelter law but has capped the number of families it can house, leading to a waiting list and an expected $1 billion cost to taxpayers this year.
Anchorage, already experiencing its snowiest winter on record, is bracing for a deep cold snap as an Arctic air mass settles over the region, bringing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below normal. The city has opened emergency warming facilities to provide shelter for unhoused residents, as officials warn of serious risks posed by the brutal cold. Relief is expected as a warmer air mass with cloud cover moves in over the weekend.
The Melnea Cass Recreational Complex in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood will serve as an overflow shelter for migrant families, particularly those sleeping at Logan International Airport, starting Wednesday. The complex, which has been used for various purposes in the past, will accommodate families in need of shelter until May 31, after which it will resume its role as a recreation center. Gov. Maura Healey expressed emotional commitment to providing housing for migrants while maintaining community services, as the state grapples with a housing crisis that is expected to cost taxpayers $1 billion this year.
Thousands of Duke Energy customers in Durham were without power for about 35 hours after a work crew damaged equipment at a Durham substation during maintenance work, affecting over 11,700 people at its peak. Power was finally restored late Thursday, with Duke Energy crews working to restore power to the damaged substation and individual power lines. The outage impacted businesses, forcing some to close, and emergency shelters were opened to provide warmth for residents. The power outage also caused traffic light outages at major roads and intersections in Durham.
A power outage in Durham, North Carolina has forced six public schools to cancel classes and left an estimated 7,000 customers without power for a second day. Duke Energy reported that the outage, caused by an equipment problem at a substation, may not be fully restored until 6 p.m. Thursday. The city is providing emergency shelters, warming centers, and transportation for affected residents, while Duke Energy works to understand the cause of the outage and restore power.
A Brooklyn high school that sheltered nearly 2,000 migrants during a rainstorm received a bomb threat and "hate calls," prompting city officials to denounce the actions as criminal offenses. The decision to use the school as a shelter sparked outrage among some residents, politicians, and Elon Musk. Despite the migrants returning to their original shelter, the high school operated via remote learning, fueling anger among elected officials and parents. City officials defended the use of the school as standard procedure for emergencies, while acknowledging the less than ideal conditions.
A judge in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, has rejected an attempt to halt a plan to cap the number of local and migrant homeless families in emergency shelters, handing a win to Governor Maura Healey. The ruling supports the state's housing department, which argued that it lacked funds to continue expanding shelter capacity due to surging demand and high housing costs. The judge stated that the administration did not violate a provision requiring a 90-day notice to the Legislature before changing emergency shelter eligibility requirements. The decision creates uncertainty for families who may be denied shelter once the cap is reached.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that the state will no longer guarantee shelter placements for new arrivals starting next month due to the overwhelming strain on the emergency shelter system caused by an unprecedented influx of migrants, primarily from Haiti. The number of families in emergency housing has doubled in the past year, reaching nearly 7,000 statewide, and is expected to rise to 7,500 by the end of October. Governor Healey emphasized that the state is not abolishing its right-to-shelter law but will prioritize families with health or safety risks and place others on waiting lists. The announcement has sparked calls to re-examine the right-to-shelter law, with some lawmakers proposing to limit it to U.S. citizens. Governor Healey called for a federal solution to address the ongoing crisis.
Monroe County in New York responded to claims of poor sanitation at Motel 6 in Gates, where they had been relocating families. The county terminated the placements due to violations of sanitation code and Motel 6's refusal to continue housing the families. The county denies throwing out residents' belongings and asserts that alternative placements were provided. However, a county legislator called for greater transparency and accountability in future emergency shelter placements, demanding inspection reports and information on contracts. The owner of Motel 6 disputes the claims of unsanitary conditions and alleges a lack of communication from the county. The county stated that they would reconsider partnering with Motel 6 if it meets sanitation standards.
Portland officials have requested support from Governor Janet Mills to house up to 600 asylum seekers at Unity College or to call in the National Guard to set up a new emergency shelter. The proposal from the Greater Portland Council of Governments suggests using the largely unused facilities at Unity College as transitional housing. The approval and funding for the proposal are uncertain, as is the potential use of the National Guard. The request comes as Portland has seen an influx of over 1,540 asylum seekers since January 1, leaving local officials in need of long-term housing solutions.
Seven public school gyms in Brooklyn are being used as emergency shelters for migrants, prompting pushback from parents and local officials. The decision to use school gyms came with little notice to parents, school administrators, and local elected officials, causing alarm and frustration. The schools selected all have freestanding gymnasiums, and the city is reportedly looking at parks and playgrounds as potential sites if the situation worsens. Concerns have been raised about fire safety, student arrival and dismissal, and where after-school programs will be held.