Valley residents aid in Hurricane Earl response

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Richard and Janet Atkins are out on the East Coast helping the Red Cross deal with Hurricane Earl.

They told News 10, over the phone, that Earl came through about midnight Friday night.

They volunteered at a shelter at an elementary school gym on Martha's Vineyard with about eight residents and another dozen volunteers.

The hurricane lost strength before it came ashore so the damage was a lot less than feared. They helped pass out some water and now are heading back to the valley.

"The people were very appreciative, even the people who didn't come in," said Janet Atkins. "They would stop us on the street and say thank you for coming so far to help us. It was very rewarding."

To find out more on the Red Cross and how you can help, click here.