Sunday, December 20, 2009 — With a major winter storm blanketing the eastern United States with record snowfalls up to two feet deep, the American Red Cross is providing shelter and comfort to travelers and residents throughout the area.
Heavy and blowing snow caused major roads to be nearly impassable, and some highways were closed at the height of the storm, stranding people who were traveling. In addition, widespread power outages left residents in the dark and cold in several states as the storm moved through Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland and up the coast to the Northeast.
By Saturday night, shelters operated by or supported by the Red Cross and its partners contained more than 900 people in states spread from Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia up to Massachusetts.
Winter Storm Safety Checklist [PDF]
