Wayne prepared for storm
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 27, 2012 11:30 PM
Wayne County officials are cautious, but not concerned, after hearing that projections for Hurricane Sandy put the storm well to the east of the area.
But they stayed in touch Saturday night anyway, just in case.
Even though no special preparations were necessary locally, two volunteers with the local chapter of the American Red Cross left town Saturday to help others who might be hard hit by the effects of the storm.
Wayne County emergency management officials have remained in contact with their counterparts on the state level in advance of the storm.
"So far everything seems to be tracking well east of us," said Joe Gurley, Wayne County Office of Emergency Services director. "We will get some much-needed rain to help the water table and will get some gusty winds."
In the meantime, Goldsboro residents and Red Cross disaster volunteers Roberto Mendozo and Audrey King are making their way to the Pamlico area to support the response efforts. They will use the local chapter's emergency response vehicle for mobile feeding and distribution of clean-up kits and other supplies.
Mendozo and Ms. King have teamed up in previous response operations around North Carolina. Last year, they drove the emergency response vehicle equipped with food and supplies to communities affected by the spring tornadoes and Hurricane Irene.
Ms. King said she volunteers to help others in need.
"Disasters can be devastating to those that are affected by them," she said. "It's about helping out those who need it most and it's a way to give back to your community."
Chapters from other areas that expected to be spared from the brunt of Hurricane Sandy will be called on for help as well.
Anyone who would like to help people affected by these disasters can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.