UPDATE: The American Red Cross shelter at the PS Jones Middle School will be closing at 3 p.m. today. All shelter clients have found alternate means of housing. The Red Cross will continue casework and assisting residents affected by the storms.

• Check out our photos of the storm damage from July 1 in our photo gallery here.

Below, is the article published Monday:

The Red Cross opened a shelter Monday afternoon at PS Jones Middle School, located at 4105 N. Market Street Extension, Washington, in response to the severe thunderstorms and power outages.
The Red Cross delivered 150 lunches to families in Beaufort County. The shelter served hot meals Monday night.
Those in need of help today were asked to call 355-3800, 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org. If the shelter remains open, families should bring a change of clothing, any medicines needed by family members, formulas and diapers for infants, snacks, books, toys, pillows and blankets. A cot will be provided.
HOW TO HELP If someone would like to help people affected by these disasters, they can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross has also received requests for ice from families still without power. Anyone wishing to provide ice must deliver it directly to the affected areas. The Red Cross has no means of distributing or storing it.
SAFETY TIPS If a community is without power, people should check on those who are alone or more likely to be affected by the heat. They should also make sure animals have plenty of water and a shady place to rest. Many people are resorting to generator power. They should connect the equipment they want powered directly to the generator outlets, and never connect a generator to the home’s electrical system.
While the power is out, people should keep their refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. If the refrigerator remains closed, it can keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer can hold its temperature for about two days if the door remains closed.
People should turn appliances and electrical equipment off and unplug them, leaving one light on to know when the power is restored.
Those affected should travel only if necessary. Traffic lights are out and roads will be congested.