Pine Street Inn Prepares for Irene

is adding extra staff and stocking up on emergency food and water this weekend in anticipation of Hurricane Irene.

Outreach teams hit the streets Thursday informing the city's most vulnerable citizens of the impending weather. Transportation will be provided to the Harrison Avenue shelter beginning Saturday as men and woman are encouraged to seek shelter indoors. 

The men's and women's inns will be open around the clock from Saturday afternoon through Monday, with additional staff on hand. Emergency food and water will be available and extra space in the shelter lobbies will be utilized if necessary, the Inn announced. 

As a precaution after , Pine Street also had its Harrison Avenue tower structure evaluated for possible damage, and it was found to be in sound condition. Facilities staff are making sure the Inn's South End headquarters is "buttoned up" as far as loose items that could dislodge in high winds.

For up-to-the-minute information on Hurricane Irene, click here.