When an extreme weather event struck Raleigh, the city's transportation unit didn't hesitate to show why they're an essential part of the emergency response team. As freezing conditions caused unexpected disruptions, Raleigh's public servants acted swiftly to ensure women displaced by a shelter closure found a new refuge, warm and secure.
It was on Sunday, when the First Baptist Church, serving as a white flag shelter for women, was undone by the wrathful chill that seized its pipes in a frozen grip. According to a report by the City of Raleigh, Wake County Emergency Management immediately contacted Raleigh Transportation for assistance. The response was both rapid and resolute, with Raleigh Transportation marshaling their resources at a moment's notice.
According to Raleigh Transportation, Assistant Transportation Directors Het Patel, who oversees Transit, and Steve Halsey, who oversees Street Maintenance and Right of Way Services, coordinated the deployment of three GoRaleigh buses. The buses transported approximately 75 women from a shelter to Southeast Raleigh High School, which was being used as a warming location.
GoRaleigh operators made multiple trips to safely transport individuals through icy conditions. A Street Maintenance salt truck accompanied the buses to help clear roadways. All individuals were transported to the high school without incident.
Raleigh Transportation and GoRaleigh staff coordinated the effort as part of their emergency response during severe weather conditions.
