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Communities, Red Cross open shelters

Churches, schools and fire departments throughout Monroe and Carbon Counties are opening their doors for anyone affected by Friday's nor'easter.

The West End Fire Company on Route 715 in Brodheadsville is hosting a warming center for those who have lost power.

"It's a place for people who have no power, so they can get warmed up a little bit, maybe charge their phone," Chestnuthill Township emergency management coordinator Eric Hoffman said.

The warming shelter will be open until later in the evening, though it will not remain open overnight. Hoffman said that the shelter will likely accommodate residents for the next few days.

Though the warming shelter provides some basic services, those in want of a shower or sleeping space have fewer options in Monroe County.

"We're very concerned, because we've been hit like this before," Deserie Friend, who was out the shelter with her husband James on Saturday afternoon, said. "It's very upsetting, especially in this area, that we don't have enough help. I mean, we have the fire company here that's helping us, but if we need to take a shower... That's a long time to go without the shower."

"Even worse than that is that you can't cook," James said. "Everything is electric in my house - the stove, everything."

The Friends said they may have to drive to Stroudsburg for access to a shower and some other necessities.

Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville is also providing a warming center, along with free coffee. 

The American Red Cross reported that they opened several shelters throughout the eastern Pennsylvania region on Friday night, and that they plan to open or support more locations on Saturday. Currently, people who are stranded or without power in Monroe County can go to Stroudsburg High School. Bowmanstown Fire Company is also listed as a disaster shelter on the Red Cross website. Guests should bring bedding, clothing, medication and emergency kits, and alcohol, illegal drugs and weapons are prohibited.