It's best to make you own living arrangements and be as well prepared as possible, emergency experts advise.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

BY AMANDA MILKOVITS
Journal Staff Writer

If tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders are ordered to evacuate ahead of a major hurricane, they'd better find their own places to go.

While the state has more than twice as many hurricane shelters as it did last season, there is only enough room for a fraction of the people who could be ordered to evacuate.

There are 26 Red Cross-approved hurricane shelters, with the capacity for 12,500 people, said Nick Logothets, director of emergency services for the American Red Cross of Rhode Island.

The state's evacuation plan is based on evacuating at most about 131,000 -- the number of year-round and seasonal residents the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency estimates live in areas that would be flooded by a major hurricane. If a massive storm hit the state, less than 10 percent of those 131,000 would be able to find a spot to ride out the hurricane in one of the approved shelters.

Buildings at the Community College of Rhode Island, at both the Warwick and Lincoln campuses, and at the University of Rhode Island, in South Kingstown, could hold thousands more. But after months of negotiations between the state EMA, the Red Cross and the schools, only CCRI has agreed to allow the Red Cross to inspect its buildings for possible approval as shelters.

Governor Carcieri says he expects URI will also agree soon.

The college buildings would probably be used to house stranded tourists, said Robert J. Warren, RIEMA executive director.

Another concern is having enough volunteers to run the shelters. While there are 1,254 Red Cross-trained volunteers in Rhode Island, only about 65 percent volunteer when called, Logothets said.

If all 26 of the hurricane shelters were opened, there would be barely enough volunteers to run them. If the state needs to open more shelters to house people long-term after a storm, there are volunteers to handle only 7,500 people.

Meanwhile, some towns have been slow in permitting public shelters, which has prevented the state from adding more, Logothets said. While the Red Cross trains volunteers, supplies meals and assumes liability, the towns must provide people for Red Cross training and post a police officer and firefighter at each shelter.

"I think it's a reluctance on the part of the townfolks to sign on the dotted line saying they're comfortable taking the responsibility," Logothets said.

This puts the burden on the neighboring towns to shelter their residents.

LOCAL EMERGENCY directors won't decide which of the hurricane shelters they'll open until right before a hurricane is expected.

Emergency officials are hoping that residents will heed an evacuation, negating the need to open some shelters. And neither they nor the Red Cross will risk opening a shelter in areas that would sustain the hardest hit.

"Quite frankly," Logothets said, "we don't know what shelters are going to be clobbered."

People in shelters can expect cramped conditions and, at best, food purchased from local fast-food restaurants.

There are just 3,000 cots stocked in communities around the state, and those will go first to the infirm and the elderly. If cots run out, evacuees will have to sleep on the floor.

Of the state's 26 approved storm shelters, there are five each in Providence and Pawtucket, two each in East Greenwich, East Providence, Middletown and Seekonk, Mass., and one each in Barrington, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Portsmouth, Richmond, South Kingstown, Tiverton and Westerly.

The state also has about 100 more locations that could be used for varying lengths of time after the storm.

Each Red Cross shelter needs 30 volunteers (15 for each 12-hour shift). If necessary, a shelter could be opened with just three Red Cross-trained volunteers to oversee operations; other duties could be handled by evacuees themselves.

In addition to a police officer and firefighter, each shelter must have either a nurse or a doctor.

Each evacuee will be registered by home address, so officials can keep track of who's at the shelter and check for anyone who might be missing. Each person will get two blankets and about 20 square feet of "personal space" (at long-term shelters, evacuees get 40 square feet). No pets are allowed, just service animals.

WITHOUT ENOUGH shelters, emergency officials and Red Cross staff are urging evacuees to find a safe place to stay during the storm. Their advice: stay with friends or family, even a hotel, out of the hurricane's range. The public shelters are intended for people who have nowhere else to go.

It's unknown how many people would seek the shelters. Experience here and elsewhere has shown that very few evacuees want to stay at public shelters. At a meeting last week with some local emergency directors, Logothets reminded them that a major disaster could change that.

After the storm has passed, the hurricane shelters used to house evacuees will remain open until power is restored, and the Red Cross will open any long-term shelters that are needed.

A massive storm could leave thousands homeless. If Portsmouth's Island Park alone were heavily damaged, which is likely if the state gets a major storm, 1,000 people could be left temporarily homeless.

WHETHER YOU PLAN to go to a public shelter, stay at home or with family or friends elsewhere, you must plan to take care of yourself. An emergency kit is essential.

Here are recommendations from the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service:

Pack a first-aid kit, toiletries and medication (enough for a month). If you have children, pack books, games, baby food and diapers. Have your identification, valuable papers and cash. Bring sleeping bags, pillows and blankets if you're staying at a shelter.

Bring proof of residence, such as a utility bill, in case you're required to show some identification to allow you to return home. Also, have your insurance papers, copies of your health benefits and your Social Security card.

Take pictures of your home, inside and out, for insurance purposes. Back up your important files on your computer and take a disk with you. Finally, fill your bathtub, sink and all available containers with tap water in case there's no running water when you return.

If you are staying home, shutter your windows and doors with plywood. Remove the tank from your gas grill and make sure you know how to shut off the electricity, water and natural gas.

Check your gutters to make sure they're clear; bring in lawn furniture and anything else that could be tossed around by the wind and park your car in the garage or beside the house, away from trees.

Have tarps or plastic sheets in case the roof leaks; flashlights and batteries; plenty of water (a gallon per person per day, plus enough for your pets), and prepared food for at least three days.

Have a hand-cranked or battery-powered radio that includes the National Weather Service channel; keep your cell phone charged.

Make a safe room in your house, preferably away from windows. Call a friend or relative outside the hurricane zone beforehand and let them know you're staying home.

amilkovi@projo.com / (401) 277-7213

Your turn: How do you plan to keep your pets safe in the event of an emergency?

http://projo.com/hurricanes

Editor's note

Scientists say hurricanes are becoming more frequent -- and more intense. Rhode Island has been hit hard in the past. This six-part series examines the strengths and weaknesses of the state's hurricane plan and offers advice on how to prepare.

before, during and after a natural disaster.

Series at a glance

Sunday/ POWER

If the power fails, emergency plans and backup sources would last only three days.

Monday/ COMMUNICATIONS

Emergency personnel have improved communication systems but only in some areas.

Tuesday/ EVACUATION

Most evacuation routes are well marked, but evacuees know where they want to go.

Wednesday/ SHELTERS

The state has a list of approved shelters, but there is still no official plan for pets.

Thursday/ DAMS

There are more than 600 dams in the state. Failures could cause widespread destruction.

Friday / RESPONSE

Local emergency management directors have a big job but often no training and small budgets.