Five recreation centers across the District have been reserved as possible emergency shelters as the city braces for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

The Department of Human Service flagged Benning Stoddert Community Center and Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Southeast Washington, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Northeast as well as Emory Recreation Center and Kennedy Recreation Center in Northwest as safe zones.

If citizens need to evacuate from their homes, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is prepared to operate shelters.

The University has likewise designated several emergency shelters on its two campuses should Irene critically damage residence halls, Senior Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Darrell Darnell said.

Safe zones include the Marvin Center on the Foggy Bottom Campus and Eckles Library and the Lloyd Gym on the Mount Vernon Campus.