You Ask, Patch Answers: Hurricane Shelters in NK

The Town of North Kingstown is recommending that residents in coastal areas and abutting freshwater bodies evacuate. But, without a shelter in town, where are resident to go? And why is there no shelter in North Kingstown? According to Town Manager Michael Embury, the answer comes down to limited resources. 

"Just like all of us, the Red Cross has limited resources to support individual shelters in every community and they have moved to regional shelters," said Embury. 

North Kingstown, Narragansett and South Kingstown are using South Kingstown High School as a regional shelter. (Chariho High School in Charlestown is also a regional shelter.)

In the past, Wickford Middle School has been NK's go-to shelter. According to Embury, WMS is not able to support the more difficult medical cases if/when they arrive. 

Another big factor is the lack of turnout at these shelters, said Embury. 

"In the past, when we have opened the shelter, few if any individuals make use of the shelter," said Embury. "Overall, the lack of residents who make use of the shelters has not justified the opening of 39 individual shelters."

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