Red Cross Shelter Available for 500 in the Poconos

East Stroudsburg, Monroe County - The Red Cross set up the East Stroudsburg University field house as a "mega shelter." It was made to hold 500 evacuees from New York and New Jersey. But then leaders in those states said they didn't need Pennsylvania's help. So there is plenty of room for locals who need help.

Gary Mumford has been sleeping there. He lost power Monday night. He recalled, "A tree fell in front of my house and then after that it went black. I think it knocked the power lines out or the transformer blew."

Gary said he and his wife spent a night in their cold, dark house. Then they decided to go to a Red Cross Shelter. He smiled, "You could see it is clean blankets, brand new cots. You know what I mean. It's a nice temperature. We get fed hot meals."

Others told Eyewitness News they didn't expect the shelter in a college field house to be so nice. Valerie Gilbreath said, "I was so hesitant. I rode around last night for a long time before I came in."

She said she needed to go somewhere warm and was happily surprised with the shelter. She gets three meals a day and a hot shower. She smiled, "It's been great. People have been great."

The cots aren't exactly King Size beds but people using the shelter are thankful. Mumford said, "There's other people who [are worse] than me. They lost homes."

The Red Cross shelter at ESU will remain open as long as people need it. There is room for 500. So far only about 20 people are sleeping there. Pets are welcome.