By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia officials say the city’s three emergency shelters — in West Philadelphia High School, Roxborough High, and Fels High — have plenty of capacity to take in area residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Lamont Smith (center of photo) had been staying with friends near 63rd and Delancey Streets, less than a block from the swollen Cobbs Creek.

He was grateful for the help he got at the city shelter.

“They made sure I ate and gave me a cot,” he said today.  “Three hots and a cot, a little bag of soap, washcloth, shaving razor, everything like that.”

Veronica Price (left of photo) left her church on Sunday and headed to the shelter at West Philly High.

“I live alone and I’m thinking if the electric goes, there’s no one to help out,” she tells KYW Newsradio.

Mayor Nutter brought greetings to those who decided to seek shelter, including Garrett Tate (right), who lives in Atlantic City.  He was unable to return when NJT shut down service.

Tate complimented the Red Cross:

“They were truly outstanding people.  Good people, from the bottom of their hearts.”

Then Tate confided to the mayor that he was a Dallas Cowboys fan.

(Nutter:)  “Let me ask you a question.  Did the red cross know you were a Dallas fan before they provided assistance?”

(Tate:)  “No –  absolutely not.”

(everyone laughs)