American Red Cross of Alaska Opens Two Warming Shelters in The Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Early Monday morning, The American Red Cross of Alaska was contacted by the Mat-Su Borough to open and staff two warming shelters in Wasilla and Palmer to help those without power stay warm.

The warming center locations are:

Wasilla

Menard Sports Center

1001 S Clapp St

Wasilla, AK 99654

Palmer

Palmer

Palmer Junior Middle School

1159 S Chugach St

Palmer, AK 99645

These centers are a great place for the community to get warm, enjoy a hot beverage or snack, and charge their electronic devices to stay in contact with friends and family. We do advise community members to follow all travel restrictions in place by the Mat-Su Borough and local law enforcement. These shelters will be open for those that need a warm place to sleep. Over the next 24-hours, The Red Cross will continue to monitor the situation and work with our partners and borough administration in the event that a sustained 24-hour shelter is needed beyond Monday evening.

Any media wishing to enter the centers and speak to clients or media with questions regarding any Red Cross operations should contact Taylar Sausen (907-406-0962).

Red Cross Shelter Question Hotline for the general public: 907-232-3268

During a power outage, it is important to remember several safety items.

• Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.
• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out.
• When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
• When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.
• If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.