Bourbon County Red Cross not as busy as expected

Due to the winter weather that made its way into the area late last week, Bourbon County Red Cross Chapter Manager Patty Gorman was fully expecting to open up several shelter houses throughout the county for those residents who lost heat and electricity.

Fortunately for Gorman, and the rest of Bourbon County, the worst of the storm struck elsewhere, leaving this area with just around one-half of inch of sleet on the ground and no power outages.

"Really, it hit hardest east and south of us, thank God," Gorman said. "We really dodged a bullet. I saw pictures of places like Joplin and Springfield, and I just shuddered."

Gorman said she did help get a homeless man put up in a local hotel, marking the only assistance request call during the storm.

Despite not being as busy as she expected, Gorman said this most recent storm reminded her and the many Red Cross volunteers that preparation is vital during any inclement weather situation.

"We try to tell our people all year long to be ready," Gorman said. "We're talking to our contacts throughout the county and we always try to be prepared."

A major part of the Red Cross' contribution during inclement weather involves opening various shelter houses throughout the area. Gorman said Buck Run Community Center is the primary location for a shelter due to its power generator. She added that several fire stations throughout the county also have generators on hand making them potential shelter locations.

"We have about 30 agreements for shelter houses in the county," Gorman said.

Gorman said it's vital to have many potential shelter houses so local residents will not be forced to stay in a place without electricity or heat.

"That's just a terrible situation for people to have to go through," Gorman said.

She also said a high number of shelter locations is important in case one or many of them aren't available during an emergency.

"For example, in the event of a tornado, one of those shelters may not be there anymore," she said.