RI prepares for hurricane season

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Last hurricane season featured Irene here in Rhode Island, which put the state to the test of handling a major storm.

The Rhode island Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and other local officials had been collecting community input for improving shelters about 4 months before Irene struck the state.

Part of a statement sent to Eyewitness News from Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts' office reads: "Unfortunately, when Tropical Storm Irene hit, the bulk of these outreach efforts had not been completed.  As such, Tropical Storm Irene exposed some of the opportunities for growth in Rhode Island's plans which prompted several groups, including the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, to seek solutions."

Eyewitness News spoke with the Rhode Island chapter of the Red Cross by phone.

They told us that during Irene, they had too many shelters open, which spread resources too thin.

This year, they will open fewer shelters, but will also coordinate with local communities to make sure everyone still has a place to go.