Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter, urged “all residents if you live in a low lying area, if you live in a flood prone area, you need to relocate right now.” To assist evacuees the city of Philadelphia has provided emergency shelter to its residents at West Philadelphia High School, Roxborough High School and Samuel Fels High School
” My apartment is on the Mill Creek and last year my whole apartment was flooded, and I was unwilling to learn that lesson again. I am disabled, I came here so that me and my grandchildren would be safe. Once Mayor Nutter had said The New West building, I was out,” Ms. Iceland of the Lucien Blackwell Apartments explained.
The gymnasium was quiet with neatly lined cots covered in Red Cross blankets. “I am a homeowner,” Mrs. Jenell Anderson of South West Philadelphia explains. “I am scared to death of trees falling on my house. … I rushed so fast to West Philadelphia High School that I brought my school books but forgot my clothing and personal items.” The Red Cross has been great they gave me a sweat suit and a bag of toiletries,” Anderson said.
Helen Mae Reisner a nurse administrator for the United States Postal Service and a volunteer nurse for this Hurricane Relief effort explains,” I have been doing this for a long time I am here to serve and offer comfort to the evacuees.
Alongside Helen is Norma Edwards a veteran nurse for the City of Philadelphia. “I worked for the city for 21 years at health center #4.” “This is what we do, we are involved in many civic operatives regarding nursing.” “We are with the medical reserves, first responders and today volunteers for the relief effort implemented here at West Philadelphia High School,” Edwards explained.
If you are a pet owner, there is also a section in the school for pets. At that time the shelter contained 5 cats. Janet from the Philadelphia County Animal Rescue Team PCART explains, ”After Katrina people were unwilling to leave their animals and so the Red Cross concluded that shelters should be set up for residents and their pets.”
In the cafeteria Red Cross workers are anxiously passing out sandwiches and fresh fruit. The area is quiet and there is a sense of contentment. People are playing cards, board games and children’s feet are kicking under the table gently as they wait in anticipation for their mothers to peel their oranges. –karimu abena hamilton
