Atlantic City opening four shelters

Atlantic City plans to maintain four shelters for residents who do not evacuate the coastal city because of Hurricane Sandy. Five more shelters will be available on the mainland for evacuees from the barrier islands.

"We want our residents to take every precaution to get out to town if they can," Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford said. "If they can't or won't, then at least go to a shelter."

Gov. Christie's evacuation order prompted the state's division of gaming enforcement to temporarily suspend casino operations as of 3 p.m. Sunday.

Roads into the city will close Sunday at 4 p.m.

Starting Sunday at 8 a.m., the city will operate shelters at the New York Avenue School, Sovereign Avenue School, Martin Luther King/Uptown Complex, and Atlantic City High School.

The Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness will open five shelters on the mainland in cooperation with the Red Cross. Christie has ordered residents of the barrier islands to evacuate by 4 p.m. Sunday.

General population shelters will be open at Pleasantville High School and Pleasantville Middle School, both on Mill Road.

Pet-friendly shelters will be open at Buena Middle School and Buena Regional High, both on Weymouth Road. Animals must be in carriers or on leashes with a food supply and necessities.

The county will also maintain a pet-friendly shelter for those who need continuous supervised medical care at St. Augustine Preparatory High School, 611 Cedar Ave., Richland.