Westchester Woman To Set Up Shelter For Hurricane Evacuation

YORKTOWN, NY — While mandatory evacuations are being issued for coastal areas of the Carolinas and Virginia, one Westchester resident has packed her bags and is heading to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Elizabeth Anderson, of Yorktown, traveled Tuesday, flying out of Westchester County Airport, to help set up and operate an evacuation shelter. She is one of 700 volunteers headed into the path of the hurricane.

When asked whether she was nervous about flying into an area that is days away from a major hurricane, Anderson said she feels well prepared.

"I think there will be things I won't expect, but if I have any questions, I have people to call," she said in a telephone interview on the way to the airport.

This is her first major disaster, she said.

She went down to help in New York City in June in the wake of the steam pipe explosion that spread asbestos in the Flatiron District.

She also volunteered in Larchmont for an apartment building evacuation and opened a shelter after a major fire in Yonkers.

Anderson was given an address to show up to in Myrtle Beach. She will find out exactly what faces her when she gets there. From that point she will stay in touch with headquarters about the storm's status and will receive updates as the hurricane evolves.

She is being deployed for two weeks.

If the storm changes track, her assignment may change, especially with the exact path of the storm not yet pinned down.

As of Tuesday morning, one scenario had Florence making landfall at Myrtle Beach.

"I have confidence in the decision the Red Cross has made," Anderson said. "They do not want to put us in jeopardy. I feel confident that I will be fine."

She said that the amount of preparation and organization the Red Cross does is nothing short of amazing.

"The logistics? It's impressive to see how many people are behind the scenes," Anderson said.

She said the Red Cross provides outstanding training, preparing volunteers for all types of disasters.

"They teach us all about shelters, hygiene, how to inventory, set up cots, taking care of children," Anderson said. "They teach how to set up a shelter to meet the needs of different populations."

One of the most important things the Red Cross instills in their volunteers is helping victims of disasters mentally.

"They teach us psychological first aid," Anderson said, "how best to address that."

Living in northern Westchester County, Anderson has seen her share of major snowfalls and extreme weather, causing power outages and other inconveniences.

She said, jokingly, that it gives her a leg up when it comes to coping in the face of adversity.

"I can pretty much do anything," Anderson said. "If I'm required to sleep on the ground, I'm fine with that."

Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross can go to this website. To donate to the Red Cross, go here.

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Photo caption: Elizabeth Anderson on her way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo credit: Courtesy.