Stoughton Resident Sent to Florida to Help Area Prepare for Arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac

Information from an American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts press release used in this article:

A Stoughton resident is part of a group of people from Massachusetts “volunteering to jump on a plane [Friday] to help Florida prepare" for its response to Tropical Storm Isaac, according to Kat Powers, Communications Director of the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts.

“Tropical Storm Isaac is threatening parts of the Caribbean and could affect southern Florida early next week,” Powers wrote in an email.

“Isaac could bring strong winds gusting as high as 75 mph and 4 to 8 inches of rain. The American Red Cross is helping prepare individuals and communities in the path of the storm, while taking steps to respond in Florida if needed,” Powers continued.

Tom Grimsley of Stoughton is deploying as a health services specialist who will be based, at least for the moment, in Miami, according to an American Red Cross Press Release.

The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts has answered the call for workers to deploy to the areas Tropical Storm Isaac may be hitting. The Red Cross is moving hundreds of trained disaster workers to Florida and preparing to open dozens of shelters across the state if needed.

Joining Grimsley are eight other Massachusetts residents who will help staff shelters in the Tampa area: Paula Farrales of Taunton; Robert Fichtenmayer of Wareham; Lynn Levine of Barnstable; Karen Melchione of Pocasset; Jerry Mossey of South Yarmouth; Paul Neuger of Duxbury; Thomas Scott of Marshfield; and Joseph Wall of Harwich.

The Red Cross has 22 emergency response vehicles already in Florida and will be moving 28 more into the area in advance of Isaac, according to a press release. Another 78 vehicles are on stand-by if needed.

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People can download the new free Red Cross Hurricane App, which features information on Red Cross shelters, plus a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm.The Hurricane App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

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