Red Cross ready for crowds at shelters

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WPRI) -- The expected storm surge has coastal communities bracing for Hurricane Sandy Monday morning.

With mandatory evacuations looming for Middletown's lower Aquidneck and Wave neighborhood, officials at The Red Cross said they're ready.

"It'll stay open through the duration of the storm. And it's open to any one that gets evacuated, someone loses power. We're not going to turn people away," said Mike Nasiff of the American Red Cross.

The Gaudet Middle School in Middletown has been transformed into a full-fledged emergency shelter.

"We're capable of holding over 500 people here so we should be able to handle the crowd that's expected. It's the only one on Aquidneck Island," said Nasiff.

The shelter may be the only warm place some residents have to turn to.

"They're going to get meals they'll be snacks and bedding of course."

Officials are urging residents to stay off of Ocean Road.

Meanwhile, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency opened shelters in Barrington, Coventry, Cumberland, Jamestown, Middletown, Tiverton, South Kingstown, Warwick and Richmond on Sunday night.

Red Cross shelters in Charlestown, Cumberland, Jamestown, Wakefield, Tiverton, Warwick and Barrington opened Monday morning.