Red Cross will close emergency shelter operation at BOS Center

Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register
·1 min read
The Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center has served as the Red Cross emergency shelter since the Fourth of July. A derecho knocked out power to 40,000 City Water, Light and Power customers, plus thousands of Ameren customers, on June 29.
The Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center has served as the Red Cross emergency shelter since the Fourth of July. A derecho knocked out power to 40,000 City Water, Light and Power customers, plus thousands of Ameren customers, on June 29.

The American Red Cross's emergency shelter operation at the Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center in downtown Springfield will come to an end at noon Monday.

The agency which covers south central Illinois sprung to action shortly after intense storms struck the area a week ago Thursday.

The announcement comes with just a handful of people remaining without power, according to a City Water, Light and Power outage map.

'I stayed hoping for those trucks to show up.' Residents without power eyeing the end

Red Cross volunteers first set up at the Springfield NAACP on East Cook Street two days after the storms.

The BOS Center was opened on July 4, offering full shelter services 24 hours a day for those without power or needing other assistance. Mental health professionals and general health practitioners were also on hand for those in need.

“I want to thank the American Red Cross and all of their volunteers for coming to our community’s aid with such compassion and high level of service,” said Mayor Misty Buscher, in a news release. “Their team has been an invaluable partner in this phase of our city’s recovery and has helped us demonstrate how challenges can be overcome and how strong and united Springfield can be when faced with adversity.”

The agency's disaster support line remains available for those who need support or other resources 24/7. That number is 1-800-733-2767.

The Springfield Downtown YMCA, 601 N. Fourth St., remains open through 4 p.m. Sunday for the public to cool off, recharge phones and electronic devices and access the internet.

This story will be updated.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: With power nearly restored Red Cross will close emergency shelter