By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The local chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing to send volunteers to the coast to provide hurricane relief.
“We have people on standby,” Deborah Lineberger, emergency services specialist for the Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross, said Thursday.
Lineberger was in the midst of completing volunteers’ paperwork.
“We feel sure they will be needed,” she said.
Late Thursday morning, Gov. Bev Perdue declared a state of emergency for the region of the state east of Interstate 95 in preparation for storm damage.
Lineberger said the Red Cross won’t know what’s needed until Hurricane Irene has made landfall.
The Red Cross would provide and man shelters as well as complete damage assessments. Volunteers would also ascertain damages to homes and set up communications.
The storm is expected to hit land this weekend and Red Cross officials should know by Saturday morning if the volunteers are needed.
“It’s a good time to be a volunteer. It’s not too late to get trained and become a Red Cross volunteer,” Lineberger said.
To learn more about volunteering for the Red Cross go to www.ehdoleredcross.org.
Capt. Jason Smith, who heads up the Rowan County Salvation Army, was deployed Wednesday night and will act as the liaison for the Carolinas at the state operations center in Raleigh.
Smith had his first full day in Raleigh on Thursday where he wrote via email to say he was quite busy, “beginning with a briefing at 8 a.m. that included all state agencies.”
Smith said much of the day’s focus was on mass feeding.
“The Army will be partnering with the N.C. Baptist Disaster Association to provide meals to the Outer Banks,” he said.
The Salvation Army has deployed 16 canteens including units in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
“Other officers (pastors) as well as other personnel remain on standby ready to serve where needed,” Smith said.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.