4 emergency shelters opening in Mecklenburg County Sunday during winter snow storm

Mecklenburg County is opening four emergency shelters as the strongest winter storm in several years hit the region on Sunday.

The shelters are open to anyone that needs a warm, safe place to go.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office, the American Red Cross, and the Town of Matthews are activating emergency shelters in response to the impacts from Winter Storm Izzy.

The Matthews site opened at noon Sunday and the rest were set to open at 4 p.m. Sunday. Here’s where they are:

▪ Crews Recreation Center,1201 Crews Road, Matthews

▪ Hopewell High School, 11530 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville

▪ Mallard Creek High School, 3825 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte

▪ Central Piedmont, Worrell Building, 1228 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte

The shelters will have heat and power, as well as provide basic meals to shelter residents. Pets are allowed at all of the shelters.

People will be required to wear masks due to COVID.

The county asked that people coming to the shelters should bring these items if possible: Clothing and toiletries for a couple of days; extra sleeping bags or blankets; sweatshirts, jackets, hats and gloves; snacks; medications; a phone and charger; and books, cards, or other small forms of entertainment.