The American Red Cross promises to be there in emergencies.
It was.
In Snohomish County, Red Cross emergency shelters opened in Everett, Granite Falls, Monroe and Stanwood to offer a safe haven for those who had to evacuate their homes because of flooding.
The Everett Events Center and Lynnwood Convention Center are the latest to commit their buildings as potential Red Cross emergency shelters. Each could house up to 1,000 people.
The Snohomish County chapter now has 198 sites throughout the county that could serve as disaster shelters. They include churches, schools, businesses and government facilities.
When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross determines which shelter locations will be used based on an assessment of a facility’s availability and accessibility and the needs of the affected areas.
Groups offering free holiday meals
Here are groups offering free meals on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day:
* Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Westgate Chapel, 22901 Edmonds Way, Edmonds. 425-775-2776.
* Granite Falls Community Coalition Thanksgiving dinner, 1 p.m., Granite Falls Eagles, 402 N. Granite Ave. Food, money and volunteers are needed. 360-691-1121.
* Stanwood Community and Senior Center Thanksgiving dinner, 2 to 5 p.m., 7430 276th St. NW. Reservations or drop-ins accepted; arrange transportation. 360-629-7403, ext. 102.
Coast Guard says to secure boats
The Coast Guard strongly encourages mariners to properly secure their boats in moorage, in anchorage or on the beach.
After the windy weather, many vessels have been found adrift or washed up on the beach.
Since Nov. 6, the Coast Guard has responded to 56 drifting cases and put in 60 hours due to improperly secured vessels.
Cover your boat, double up mooring and anchor lines and seal hatches and portholes. Vessels stored on the beach should be moved as far from the water as possible.
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