Red Cross Shelter at N. Babylon HS Closing

The American Red Cross shelter at North Babylon High School will close Friday, Nov. 9 at 8 a.m., Suffolk County officials announced Thursday.

All shelters in the county, except for the Village Green Center at 423 Park Avenue in Huntington, will be consolidated at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue. 

More than 100 people were checked into the Red Cross shelter at Robert Frost Middle School on Sunday after Hurricane Sandy. That shelter closed on Tuesday, but when a nor'easter blew through Long Island on Wednesday, the organization opened a new facility at the High School for those seeking shelter from the snow storm.

Approximately 80 percent of those housed in temporary shelters required the facilities as a result of power outages, according to a statement from Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone's office. Since outages are being addressed, and housing resources are increasingly becoming more available, the previously urgent need for multiple emergency shelters across the county is diminishing, county officials stated.

Those in need of shelter can contact the American Red Cross directly at 1 (877) 733-2767). Those who require special assistance or limited skilled care during sheltering, are asked to call (631) 852 - 4677 to arrange for appropriate shelter placement.