Community Corner

Update: VCMS Shelter Closed, Church of the Nazarene Takes Over

Crews descend on Vernon Center, get it powered up.

The shelter at Vernon Center Middle School was officially closed as of noon today, Mayor Jason McCoy said.

The shelter opened on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, in anticipation of Winter Storm Alfred, and it served as a refuge for more than 350 residents.

The shelter provided more than 7,000 meals for residents, McCoy said.
 
As of this morning, 25 residents were still utilizing the shelter at VCMS. They were relocated to a shelter at the Rockville Church of the Nazarene, 47 East St. The shelter there will provide food and potable water for current shelter guests.

Decisions on whether to keep it open will be made on a 24-hour basis.
 
McCoy said residents without power should continue to report outages to Connecticut Light & Power by calling (860) 286-2000.

Residents can also call the number to obtain a direct estimate from CL&P with regard to power restoration.

About 4,000 CL&P customers remained without power today. CL&P was making a concentrated effort in Vernon Center today, the first sign of trucks in the area.

CL&P said in a corporate message today it thinks 99 percent of Vernon residents can have power by late tonight.

Crews were making steady progress throughout the day. Most of Vernon Center was powered up before 7 p.m. and by 8:45, the powerless count was down to 1,537 CL&P customers.

McCoy said the remaining pockets of black were "all over the place."

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"We are talking blocks all over town,'' he said.


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