An Atlantic City casino owner has announced he will be offering shelter to hurricane evacuees.
Bruce Deifik, the owner of the new Ocean Resort Casino, announced the news in a statement on Wednesday (September 13).
He said: “We completely understand the concern for families and the community during times like this, so we want to do our part by providing somewhere safe, warm and dry to those impacted by Hurricane Florence.”
According to Deifik, anyone seeking shelter must provide a valid driver’s license showing “residence in the areas adversely affected and directly impacted by Hurricane Florence” and the casino will make effort to accommodate as many people as possible based on “the availability of space and rooms”.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Deifik said he wouldn’t place any strict boundaries on which areas qualified for shelter, saying: “They have to show proof that they live in an area that is threatened with a direct hit or an area in danger.”
He added: “Ninety-five per cent of people I’m sure will be honest about it. There’s always going to be some scammers, but if it takes letter a few of them slip by in order to help the majority of people, then so be it.”
Ocean Resort Casino opened in June and includes 1,399 rooms.
The dreaded Hurricane Florence is expected to impact around 10 million people in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned residents of the State to evacuate before the storm strikes, stating: “You put your life at risk by staying. Don’t plan to leave once the winds and rains start.”
Cooper and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster told the 1 million people who have been told to evacuate that if they don’t they’re on their own.
The hurricane is expected to hit the North Carolina coast later this week before turning left and moving in-land towards Kentucky.
